Solving Two and Three Step Equations

A two-step equation is an algebraic equation that requires two operations to solve for the variable. For example, in the equation $$x + 5 = 10$$ , you would first subtract 5 from both sides and then solve for $$x$$ .

A three-step equation is an algebraic equation that requires three operations to solve for the variable. For example, in the equation $$3x - 4 = 11$$ , you would first add 4 to both sides, then divide by 3, and finally solve for $$x$$ .

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side. For example, in $$2x + 3 = 11$$ , subtract 3 from both sides and then divide by 2.

The first step is to add 13 to both sides of the equation to eliminate the constant term. This gives $$x/5 = 33$$ .

First, divide both sides by 6 to get $$2n + 5 = 11$$ . Then, subtract 5 from both sides to find $$2n = 6$$ , and finally divide by 2 to get $$n = 3$$ .

Subtract 7 from both sides to get $$8 = 2a$$ . Then divide by 2 to find $$a = 4$$ .

Subtract 7 from both sides to get $$4x = 16$$ . Then divide by 4 to find $$x = 4$$ .

Subtract 7 from both sides to get $$\frac{a}{3} = -2$$ . Then multiply both sides by 3 to find $$a = -6$$ .

Balancing an equation means ensuring that both sides of the equation remain equal after performing operations. Whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other.

The inverse operation of addition is subtraction. For example, if you have $$x + 5 = 10$$ , you would subtract 5 to isolate $$x$$ .