Solving 2 Step Equations

It is important to learn this process, so that

you can apply it to more difficult equations!

Solving Two-Step Equations

left side

Every equation has 2 sides, separated

by the = sign.

4 + x

=
12
right side

The solution to an equation is expressed

as an equation with the variable ALONE

on one side.

The solution is :   y = 2

example:    y + 3 = 5

We also use INVERSE OPERATIONS.
The inverse of multiplication is division.
The inverse of division is multiplication.
The inverse of subtraction is addition.

The inverse of addition is subtraction.

Example  1

The inverse of addition is subtraction, so we need

to subtract 9 from both sides of the equation.

We need to UNDO the 9, which is added to p.

+  9  =  12
p
-
9
=
- 9
3

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations in

this manner!

Example  2

We need to UNDO the 3, which is subtracted from s.

The inverse of subtraction is addition, so we need

to add 3 to both sides of the equation.

s

 -  3  =  17

+

3

=
+ 3

20

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations!

Example  3

The inverse of multiplication is division, so we need

to divide both sides of the equation by 5.

We need to UNDO the 5, which is multiplied by x.

÷

 5x    =     35

x

5

=

÷  5

7

You must show

the steps of

solving your

equations!

We use this same process when more than

one number is on the same side of the

equation as the variable.

However, it is important to remember to use

inverse operations to

 

undo ADDITION or

SUBTRACTION BEFORE

undoing MULTIPLICATION or DIVISION.

 

 

 

Use inverse operations to undo the constant

before undoing the coefficient.

Coefficient
4
x
+
9
=
21
Constant
Example 1
4
x
4x      =  12
 4               4
+
x
-   9
9
=
=
- 9
21
3
solution
divide both sides by 4
subtract 9 from both sides
Example 2
2p  -  3  =  27
2p         =   30
2
p      =  15
+ 3
+3
 2
add 3 to both sides
solution
divide both sides by 2
Make sure you type in the+ addition or - subtractionsign on both sides.
SLOW DOWN!! You have to put in answerson the next screen.
Your turn!
5y   -  15    =  20
Fill in the missing numbers.
5y     =    35
y    =
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
3y  +  8    =  23
3y     =    15
y    =
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
4y  -  1    =  15
4y     =    16
y    =
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
5y   -  4    =  36
5y     =    40
y    =
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
y   -  1    =  2
5
x
y     =
5
y    =
x
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
y   +  14    =  23
3
x
y     =
3
y    =
x
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
y   -  9    =  15
4
x
y     =
4
y    =
x
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
7y   -  9    =  54
y    =
=
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
4y   +  1    =  33
y    =
=
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
3y   -  8    =  22
y    =
=
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
2y   +  7    =  17
y    =
=
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Solve these two step equations.
7y   +  9    =  44
y    =
=
Type in the + or -sign and the number.
Created with That Quiz — where test making and test taking are made easy for math and other subject areas.