The objective in a multi step equation is

Question

A. combine like terms

or

B. isolate the variable

Answer 1

The objective is always to isolate the variable and determine its value. Consider the following example. The variable is x. We want to isolate it by itself on one side of the equation:

5x + 3x - 8 = x - 1

Combine like terms:

8x - 8 = x - 1

Subtract x from both sides:

7x - 8 = -1

Add 8 to both sides:

7x = 7

Divided both sides by 7

x = 1

We have isolated the variable on one side of the equation and determined its value on the other.