4 x +  8  =  7 2 Solving Equations

2-Step Equations

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www.augusta.k12.va.us/.../Solving_2-Step_Variable_Equations.ppt
 Where do you start?

 Break up the equation into its two parts.

4 x  +   8   =   

72
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STEP 1:
 The first step will always be
either
 adding or subtracting.


STEP 2 :

The  se c o nd ste p will always be  

e ithe r 
multiplying  o r dividing .
1
Let’s try the problem… Step 1

4 x +  8  =  7 2
This
4 x +  8  =  7 2 Whatever
problem has
addition, so
we need to
subtract.
-8 -8 we do on
one side,
we have to
do on the
other.
 4 x +  8  =  7 2
-8 -8
Step 2 4x = 64
On to Step 2 …

This part has

multiplication,
4x =
 Whatever we
do on one

64
4 4
so we need to side, we have
divide. to do on the
other.
4x =


64
4 4
x = 16
Let’s Check …

4x  +  8  = 72
Let’s Check …

4x  +  8  = 72
4 × 16  +  8  = 72
Let’s Check …

4x  +  8  = 72
4 × 16  +  8  = 72
64  +  8  = 72
Let’s Check …

4x + 8 = 72

4 × 16 + 8 = 72
64 + 8 = 72

72 = 72
THEIR 
YOUR ANSWER ANSWER
Let’s Check …

4x  +  8  = 72
4 × 16  +  8  = 72
64  +  8  = 72
72  = 72
ANSWERS 
MATCH
2 LET’ S TRY ANOTHER PROBLEM… 
STEP 1

 6x - 7 = 47
  6x - 7 = 47
+7 + 7
This Whatever
problem has we do on
subtraction, one side,
so we need we have to
to add first. do on the
other.
  6x - 7 = 47
+7 + 7
Step 2 6x = 54
On to Step 2 …

This problem
has
6x =
 Whatever we
do on one

54
6 6
side, we have
multiplication, to do on the
so we need to other.
divide.
6x =


54
6 6
x = 9
Let’s Check …

 6x - 7 = 47
Let’s Check …

6x - 7 = 47


  6 ×  9 ­ 7 =  47

Let’s Check …

6x - 7 = 47


  6 ×  9 ­ 7 =  47

  54  ­ 7 =  47
Let’s Check …

6x - 7 = 47


  6 ×  9 ­ 7 =  47

  54  ­ 7 =  47
        47 =  47
THEIR 
YOUR ANSWER ANSWER
Let’s Check …

6x - 7 = 47


  6 ×  9 ­ 7 =  47

  54  ­ 7 =  47
        47 =  47
ANSWERS 
MATCH
Your turn … Show your work!

3 8x + 5 = 53 4 12x – 9 = 99

5 -5x – 8 = 72 6 4y + 8 = -12
LET’S TRY ANOTHER PROBLEM… 
STEP 1 7
x
+ 6 = 15
8
 x
This Whatever
problem has we do on

+ 6 = 15
addition, so one side,
we need to we have to
subtract.
8 do on the
other.

-6 -6
x
+ 6 = 15
8
-6 -6
x
= 9
8
 On to Step 2 …

8× x = 9×8
This problem Whatever we
has division, do on one
so we need to side, we have

8
multiply. to do on the
other.
8 × x = 9 ×8
8
x = 72
LET’ S CHECK 
…
x
+ 6 = 15
8
LET’S CHECK 
…
x
+ 6 = 15
8
72
+ 6 = 15
8
LET’S CHECK 
…
x
+ 6 = 15
8
72
+ 6 = 15
8
9 + 6 = 15
LET’S CHECK 
…
x
+ 6 = 15
8
72 + 6 = 15
8
9 + 6 = 15
15 = 15 THEIR 
YOUR ANSWER ANSWER
LET’S CHECK 
…
x
+ 6 = 15
8
72 + 6 = 15
8
9 + 6 = 15
15 = 15
ANSWERS 
MATCH