Bell Work
How to Identify Multistep
Equations
Some equations can be
solved in one or two
steps
Ex) 4x + 2 = 10 is a twostep equation
• Subtract 2
• Divide both sides by 4
Ex) 2x – 5 = 15 is a twostep equation
• Add 5
• Divide both sides by 2
When you have multiple movements
– you are solving a multi-step
equation!
How to Identify Multistep
Equations
Multistep equation – an equation whose solution
requires more than two steps
5x – 4 = 3x + 2
4(x – 2) = 12
Multistep equations can take different forms
Characteristic
Example
Multiple variable or constant terms on
the same side
Variable present on both sides
x + 2x + 3x – 1 = 3 + 20
Parentheses present on either side
3(x + 2) = 21
4x – 2 = 3x + 3
How to Solve Multistep Equations
4(x + 2) – 10 = 2(x + 4)
4x + 8 – 10 = 2x + 8
4x – 2 = 2x + 8
Steps to Solve a Multistep
Equation
First step
Complete any
Distributive
Property
Second
step
Combine like terms
(same side of
equal sign)
Third
step
Move all variables
to one side and
constants to the
other side. (+ or -)
Fourth
step
Solve for the
variable
2x = 10
x=5
Same general set of steps is
useful in solving many
multistep equations!
Practice with Multistep Equations
1) − 4(5h + 2) − 22 = −40
2) 8m − 32 + 7m − 34 = 9
3) 30 = −5(6n + 6)
4) −13 = 5(1 + 4m) − 2m
5) 8(1 + 5x) + 5 = 13 + 5x
Steps to Solve a Multistep
Equation
First step
Complete any
Distributive
Property
Second
step
Combine like terms
(same side of
equal sign)
Third
step
Move all variables
to one side and
constants to the
other. (+ or -)
Fourth
step
Solve for the
variable
Practice Solving All Types
of Equations
1) −20 = −4x − 6x
6) −18 − 6k = 6(1 + 3k)
2) 8x − 2 = −9 + 7x
7) 2(4x − 3) − 8 = 4 + 2x
3) 5p − 14 = 8p + 4
8) −(1 + 7x) − 6(−7 − x) = 36
4) −8 = −(x + 4)
9) −(7 − 4x) = 9
5) 14 = −(p − 8)
10) −3(4x + 3) + 4(6x + 1) =
43
Closure
Your teacher gave the following problem out to everyone in your class
for a chance at a free homework pass:
−5(1 − 5x) + 5(−8x − 2) = −4x − 8x
Your best friend was absent for the lesson when your teacher went
over how to solve multi-step equations. He FREAKED out and stated,
“There is NO WAY I can solve that! It is too long!”
Explain to your friend how he can solve any type of equation. Make
sure you describe the steps he should take.
Solve it correctly for a free homework pass!