Solving Two-Step Equations (Grades 6–7)
A two-step equation has two operations to undo, like 2x + 3 = 11. Work in reverse order of operations: first undo the addition or subtraction, then undo the multiplication or division — always doing the same to both sides. Peeling the equation back one layer at a time gets x alone.
Understanding solving two-step equations
A two-step equation has two operations to undo, like 2x + 3 = 11. Work in reverse order of operations: first undo the addition or subtraction, then undo the multiplication or division — always doing the same to both sides. Peeling the equation back one layer at a time gets x alone.
Key Idea
A two-step equation has two operations to undo, like 2x + 3 = 11. Work in reverse order of operations: first undo the addition or subtraction, then undo the multiplication or division — always doing the same to both sides. Peeling the equation back one layer at a time gets x alone.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Solve 2x + 3 = 11.
Undo +3 first: 2x = 11 − 3 = 8.
Undo ×2: x = 8 ÷ 2 = 4. (Check: 2·4 + 3 = 11 ✓.)
Undo +3, then undo ×2.
Try a few
3x − 1 = 14
5x + 2 = 17
x/2 + 4 = 10
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