Solving Two-Step Equations and Inequalities

South Carolina State Standard

7-3.4 - Use inverse operations to solve two-step equations and two-step inequalities.

Common Core- Expressions and Equations Solve real-life and mathematical problems using numerical and algebraic expressions and equations
7. EE.3 - Solve multi-step real-life and mathematical problems posed with positive and negative rational numbers in any form (whole numbers, fractions, and decimals), using tools strategically. Apply properties of operations to calculate with numbers in any form; convert between forms as appropriate; and assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies.

English Phrase
Three times a number is nine A number less than seven equals two Half of a number is the same as six A number plus ten equals eleven

Algebraic Phrase
3x=9
7-x=2

=6
x + 10=11

English Phrase

Five times a number plus ten equals 20 Two minus a number that is doubled is the same as 12 Half of a number subtracted by two equals six A number divided by four then added by three equals 14

Algebraic Phrase
5x+10=20
2 - (2x)=12
2

-2= 6

+3=14 4

5x+10-10= 20-10

5x+10=20

5x=10
5 10 = 5 5

5x+10=20 5(2)+10=20 10+10=20 20=20

Check:

x=2

2-(2x)=12 2-2-(2x)=12-2 -(2x)=10

2 10 = 2 2

x=-5

2-(2x)=12 2-(2(-5))=12 2-(-10)=12 2+10=12 12=12

Check:

Check:

-2+2=6+2 2 =8 2 x2=8x2 2

-2=6 2

-2=6 2 (16) -2=6 2

x=16

(8)-2=6 8-2=6 6=6

 +3-3=14-3 4 =11 4 x4=11x4 4

+3=14 4

Check:
+3=14 4 44 +3=14 4

x=44

(11)+3=14 11+3=14 14=14

When Solving Two-Step Equations: 1st- Do the addition and subtraction 2nd- Do the multiplication and division

When Checking Your Solution: 1st- Substitute the solution for the variable
2x+5=11, x= 3: 2(3)+5=11

2nd- Do the multiplication and division 3rd- Do the addition and subtraction

42=6n+12 42-12=6n+12-12

30=6n
30 6

5 =n

6 = 6

8= -2 4 8+2= -2+2 4 10= 4

10x4= x4 4

40=n

Greater than Less than Greater than or Equal to Less than or Equal to

> <

When the arrow is facing right, your solution

is increasing (Going to the right ). When the arrow is facing left, your solution is
decreasing (Going to the left

).

When plotting inequality on the number line:

When the symbol is < or > the point will be open When the symbol is or the point will be closed