how do you solve two step equations?

Question

my son is having trouble solving two step equations, and to be honest i never did this kind of math please help...

Answer 1

Hi maribel,

Its not that hard as it seems.

let me explain it with the help of an example

Example:: let 2x+3= 9 now we want x to be all alone

so subtract 3 from both sides 2x +3-3= 9-3

thus 2x= 6

and then divide both sides by 2 x/2= 6/2

thus  x=3

Isn't it fun!!

Answer 2

Maribel,

Not too hard really.  The term two step equation comes form the operations being performed which are done in you guessed it two steps.

Example:

5X - 9 =31

Step 1 add 9 to each side

5X - 9 +9 = 31 +9

5X = 40

Step 2 divide each side by 5

5X/5 = 40/5

X= 8

I Hope that answers you question.

Best Regards,

Art