One-Step (add/subtract)
x - 2 = 7
x = 9
3x = 12
x = 12
2x + 4 = 8
x = 2
What is the first step to solve x + 5 = 3?
Subtract 5 from both sides
What is the first step to solve 2x + 5 = 3?
Subtract 5 from both sides
x + 5 = 10
x = 5
x/4=2
x = 8
5 - 4x = 21
x = -4
What is the first step to solve 2x=6?
Divide both sides by 2
What is the first step to solve 2x - 4 = 6?
Add 4 to both sides
-3 + x = 7
x = 10
-5x = 30
x = -6
-3 - 7x = 18
x = - 3
What is the first step to solve 5+x=4?
Subtract both sides by 5
What is the first step to solve -5 - x = 4?
Add 5 to both sides
-6 = x + 3
x = -9
x/3 = -10
x = -30
x/3 + 1 = 4
x = 9
Why should you add "3" on both sides?
x - 3 = 5?
Because addition is the opposite (inverse) of addition
What is the first step in solving this two-step equation?
Ex: x/5 - 1 = 10
Add 1 to both sides to isolate the variable term.
5 - x = -7
x = -12
-6x = -216
x = 36
x/ 4 - 1 = -4
x = -12
Why would I divide both sides by 4 first?
4x = 8
Division is the opposite (inverse) of multiplication.
What is the second step in solving a two-step equation?
Ex: 5x - 1 = 14
Divide both sides by the coefficient (5).