Two-Step Equations

Solving Two- Step Equations

How to Solve

• Get rid of the 3rd Wheel: Add or Subtract to get rid of the number

• Break up the happy couple: Multiply or Divide both sides of the equation by the coefficient

Step One

The first step is to UNDO the addition or subtraction using inverse operations

Step Two

The second step is to UNDO the multiplication or division using inverse operations

Multiple Choice

What is the first step in this equation?

3x + 5 = 20

• Add 5 and 20

• Subtract 5 from both sides of the equation

• Add 3 and 5

• Multiply 3 by 5

Multiple Choice

What is the next step in the equation?

3x = 15

• Divide both sides by 3

• Add 3 and 15

• Subtract 3 and 15

• Multiply 3 and 15

Multiple Choice

What would be the best first step to solving the equation in one step?

• multiply both sides by 3

• multiply both sides by -3

• divide both sides by -3

• add 3 to each side

Multiple Choice

4x + 7 = 23

• x = 16

• x = 4

• x = 9

• x = 12

Multiple Select

Which two operations are in this equation?

$$5x+4=-16$$  

• addition

• subtraction

• multiplication

• division

Multiple Choice

Which equation shows the results of undoing the multiplication in the equation?  

$$5x=-20$$  

• $$x=4$$  

• $$x=25$$  

• $$x=-15$$  

• $$x=-4$$  

Multiple Choice

What is the first step to solve this equation?

3k + 5 = 23

• Multiply both sides by 3

• Subtract both sides by 3

• Divide both sides by 3

• Subtract both sides by 5

Multiple Choice

The steps in solving 5b - 6 = 24 are:

• Add 6 to both sides and divide both sides by 5

• Add 6 to both sides and multiply both sides by 5

• Subtract 6 from both sides then multiply both sides by 5

• Subtract 6 from both sides then divide both sides by 5