Solving 2-step Equations

Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn how to solve 2-step equations using reverse operations. This is a great review for our previous posts on equations because we will be handling addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in this lesson.

Solving 2-step Equations

5x + 13 = 48

The above equation is a 2-step equation. In order to solve this, we need to reverse the operation applied so that we can find the value of x. 

First let's look at the +13. 5x was added to 13 to get 48. We need to use the reverse of adding, which is subtracting, to find the value of x. So, 13-13 equals 0 and 48-13 equals 35.

Now we are left with

 5x = 35

Now, we have to divide because the reverse of multiplication is division:

5/5 equals 1 or 1x which is the same thing as x.

35/5 equals 7.

That means the value of x=7!

We can check this by solving the equation:

5 (7)+ 13 = 48

According to the Order of Operations, multiplication comes before addition:

35 + 13 = 48

So our answer, or solution, is correct!

5x + 13 = 48

x = 7

 Sheet 1 Solving 2-step Equations