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Year 8 · Patterns & Algebra

Two-step equations

A two-step equation needs two opposites: undo the adding first, then the multiplying.

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How to do it

  1. Add or subtract to move the plain number away.
  2. Divide by the number in front of x.
  3. Variables on both sides: collect the x terms first.

Worked example

3x + 5 = 17
Take 5 off both sides: 3x = 12
Divide both sides by 3: x = 4

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Do the same thing to both sides each step.

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