How to Solve Two-Step Equations

Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you must also do to the other.

Worked examples

Subtract 5: $3 x = 15$

Divide by 3: $x = 5$

Check: $3 (5) + 5 = 20$

Add 2: $\frac{x}{4} = 5$

Multiply by 4: $x = 20$

In $3 x + 5 = 20$ , dividing only part of the left side by 3.

If you divide first, every term must be divided, including the 5. Undoing the addition first is simpler.

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