1. 1.) x – 5 = ) x + 6 = -12
3.) -4x = ) ¾ x = 9
5.) 3 – x = -10

2. Solving Multi-Step Equations

3. Multi-Step Equations
You must do more than one step to isolate the variable.
There is not one correct method to solve an equation.
I will usually use the reverse order of operations to isolate the variable.
I will generally follow these steps:
1.) Circle the term with the variable.
(Remember—terms are separated by +, – , or =. )
2.) Get the circle by itself.
3.) Get the variable by itself.

4. Examples
Solve.
1.) 3x + 4 = ) 2x – 5 = -9

5. Try:
Solve.
1.) 5x + 10 = ) 4x – 8 = 8

6. Examples:
Solve.
3.) ¾ x + 2 = )

7. Try:
Solve.
3.) ½ x + 3 = )

8. Like Terms Coefficients—the numbers in front of variables
If there isn’t a number in front, it is an invisible 1.
Constants—numbers without variables
Like terms have the same variable(s) to the same exponent
Examples: 2x and 3x, 4y and 7y, x2 and 3x2, 5xy and 3xy

9. Combining Like Terms
To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients.
Example:
1.) 4xy + 8xy
2.) 3xy – 2x + 5xy – 3x
3.) 4y + 2x – y

10. Try: Combine like terms: 1.) 18x + 3x 2.) 20xy – 5y + 2xy +10y
3.) 3x + 5y – 2x + y + 2xy
4.) x2 + 5x2 – 4y2 + y2

11. Sometimes you will need to combine like terms before you solve an equation.
Example: Solve 7x – 3x – 8 = 24

12. Solving Equations Using the Distributive Property

13. Distributive Property Review
Simplify:
1.) 2(x+4) 2.) 3(4 – x)
3.) -2(x+3) 4.) -4 (5 – x)

14. To solve equations with parentheses, you must first get rid of parentheses!
1.) Distribute
2.) Circle the term with the variable
3.) Get what’s inside the circle by itself
4.) Get the variable by itself
If you notice that each separate term is divisible by the number you are distributing, you may also divide by that value first.

15. Examples:
Solve.
1.) 4(x+2) – 2x = 24
2.) -3(x – 2) = 12

16. Try:
Solve:
1.) 5(x+2) = 40
2.) 2x – 5(x – 9) = 27

17. HW: p. 96 #24-44