Solving Multi-Step Equations

What should be your first step to solve this equation?

2(x - 4) + 3 = x + 5

• Subtract 3

• Distribute 2

• Add 4

• Combine like terms

After distributing, what should you do next in the equation?

2x − 8 + 3 = x + 5

Solve the equation.

2(x − 4) + 3 = x + 5

• 6
• 10
• 8
• 12

Answer explanation

2(x − 4) + 3 = x + 5

First, we would distribute the 2 to the inside of the parenthesis. This gives us:

2x - 8 + 3 = x + 5

Next, we combine like terms on the left side, which gives us:

2x - 5 = x + 5

Now we subtract x from each side to get:

1x - 5 = 5

Last, we add 5 to each side to get:

1x = 10

We do not need to divide by 1, since 10 divided by 1 is still 10, (or since 1x is the same as x)