Algebra I Recipe: Solving Two-Step Equations and Equations with Parentheses

A. Solving a Two-Step Equation like 2x - 10 = -4

Move the number term by either adding it or subtracting it on both sides of the equation.

Move the coefficient by either multiplying, dividing, or multiplying by the reciprocal on both sides of the equation.

Examples:

2x + 7 = 15

3x - 1 = 8

(x/3) - 5 = -1

30 = 16 + (1/5)x

6 = 14 - 2x

3 - ¾x = -6

B. Solving Equations with Parentheses (Change subtraction to “adding the opposite” when necessary.)

Do the distributive property on each side.

Combine like terms on each side.

Move the number term by adding or subtracting it on both sides of the equation.

Move the coefficient by multiplying, dividing, or multiplying by the reciprocal on both sides of the equation.

Examples:

–2(x - 3) + 5x = 36

37 = 3(2x - 4) + 5(x + 1)

125 = (5/6)(x - 18)

(-4/9)(2x - 4) = 48

–10 = 4 - (7x)/4