Math Objective: Solve Two-Step Equations Algebra and Functions 4.1

What??? I just learned 1-step! Relax. You’ll use what you already know to solve 2-step equations.

So, what’s first? You need to break up the equation into its two steps.

STEP 1 The first step will always be either adding or subtracting. + -

÷ • STEP 2 The second step will always be either multiplying or dividing. ÷ •

Follow these steps to solve two step equations: Draw “the river”- Two lines around your equal sign to divide two sides of equation. Beginning with the side of the equation with the variable, add or subtract to get rid of the constant. Simplify. Multiply or Divide to isolate your variable. Simplify to solve for the variable. Check your answer.

Follow the steps to solve the equation: Draw “the river” Add 3 to both sides Simplify Clear the fraction. Multiply both sides by 2 Check your answer + 3 + 3 = - 4 x = -8 -4 – 3 = -7 2 · · 2

1) Solve 2x - 1 = -3 + 1 + 1 2x = -2 2 2 x = -1 2(-1) - 1 = -3 + 1 + 1 2x = -2 2 2 x = -1 2(-1) - 1 = -3 -2 – 1 = -3 Draw “the river” Add 1 to both sides Simplify Divide both sides by 2 Check your answer

2) Solve + 4 + 4 3 · · 3 x = 36 12 – 4 = 8 Draw “the river” + 4 + 4 3 · · 3 x = 36 12 – 4 = 8 Draw “the river” Add 4 to both sides Simplify Clear the fraction -Multiply both sides by 3 Check your answer

3) Solve -5n +7 = 22 - 7 - 7 -5n = 15 -5 -5 n = -3 -5(-3) +7 = 22 - 7 - 7 -5n = 15 -5 -5 n = -3 -5(-3) +7 = 22 15 + 7 = 22 Draw “the river” Subtract 7 from both sides Simplify Divide both sides by -5 Check your answer

4) Solve + 2 + 2 4 · · 4 x = 32 8 – 2 = 6 Draw “the river” + 2 + 2 4 · · 4 x = 32 8 – 2 = 6 Draw “the river” Add 2 to both sides Simplify Clear the fraction -Multiply both sides by 4 Check your answer

5) Solve 3y – 1 = 8 A. y = 3 B. y = -3 C. y = D. y = Answer Now

6) Solve 5z + 16 = 51 A. z = -35 B. z = -7 C. z = 35 D. z = 7 Answer Now