Solving Two-Step Equations In the equation 4x = 23, the of contains the operations done to to get 23 (following the order of x” x –5 “story operations). In this activity, you will work backwards to solve each equation. When working backwards, you will perform an inverse operation to undo each operation in the story of The operation done first in the story of gets x. x undone last. Remember that what you do to one side of the equation must be done to the other side! Equation Story of x Work it backwards Solution Check 4x 5 + 5 = 23 + 5 – 4(7) 5 = 23 – Multiply by 4, then 4x = 28 4x 5 = 23 Add 5, then divide by 4. 28 5 = 23 – – subtract 5. 23 = 23 = 7 x Subtract 8, then multiply Divide by 3, then add 8. -10 + 8 = –2 by 3. = –2 –2 = x –30 + 6 = 24 –3x
Solving Two-Step Equations In the equation 4x –5 = 23, the “story of x” contains the operations done to x to get 23 (following the order of operations). In this activity, you will work backwards to solve each equation. When working backwards, you will perform an inverse operation to undo each operation in the story of x. The operation done first in the story of x gets undone last. Remember that what you do to one side of the equation must be done to the other side! Equation Story of x Work it backwards Solution Check 4x – 5 = 23 Multiply by 4, then subtract 5. Add 5, then divide by 4. 4x – 5 + 5 = 23 + 5 4x = 28 x = 7 4(7) – 5 = 23 28 – 5 = 23 23 = 23 Divide by 3, then add 8. Subtract 8, then multiply by 3. x = –30 -10 + 8 = –2 –2 = –2 –3x + 6 = 24