Lesson 2-3

Solving Multi-Step Equations

Today’s Goal
● Solve equations
Explore  Using Algebra Tiles to Model involving more than
one operation.
Multi-Step Equations
Today’s Vocabulary
Online Activity Use algebra tiles to complete the Explore. multi-step equation

 INQUIRY How can you model and solve a
multi-step equation?

Learn  Solving Multi-Step Equations

A multi-step equation is an equation that uses more than one property
of equality to solve it. To solve this type of equation, you can undo each
operation using properties of equality. Working backward in the order
of operations makes this process simpler. Each step in this process Think About It!
results in equivalent equations.
In 4x - 2 = 5, which
Operation Opposite Operation two operations are
being used? Which
Addition Subtraction
operations would you
Subtraction Addition use to work backward
Multiplication Division in the order of
Division Multiplication operations to solve the
equation?

Example 1  Solve Multi-Step Equations Sample answer: The

Use properties of equality to solve each equation. Check your equation uses
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solutions. multiplication and

subtraction. To work
a. 2a - 6 = 4 backward, you would
     2a - 6 = 4 Original equation. use addition and
division.
2a - 6 + 6 = 4 + 6 Add 6 to each side.

      2a = 10 Simplify.
2a 10
       ​__
​  2  ​​ = ​​ __
2  ​​ Divide each side by 2.

       a = 5 Simplify.

(continued on the next page)

Lesson 2-3 • Solving Multi-Step Equations 85

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 Your Notes
Study Tip
Assumptions To solve
an equation, you must
assume that the
original equation has a
solution.
Go Online
You can watch a video
to see how to use a
graphing calculator
with this example.
Study Tip
Multiplicative Inverse
A number multiplied by
its reciprocal is 1.
Talk About It!
Would it work to first
5
multiply each side by __
​​ 2 ​​?
Explain your reasoning.
Yes; sample answer: It
would work as long as
you multiply every term
5
in the equation by __
​​ 2 .​​
86 Module 2 • Equations in One Variable
THIS MATERIAL IS PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTED.
CHECK
Check your solution by substituting the result back into the original
equation.
2a - 6 = 4 Original equation
2(5) - 6 ≟ 4 Substitute 5 for a.
10 - 6 ≟ 4 Simplify.
4 = 4 True
n+1
​ ____
b. ​ -2  ​​ 
 = 15
n+1
​​ ____
-2  ​​  
= 15 Original equation.
-2 ​​(____
​  -2  ​)
n+1
 ​​ = -2 (15) Multiply each side by -2.
n + 1 = -30 Simplify.
n + 1 -1 = -30 -1 Subtract 1 from each side.
n = -31 Simplify.
Check your solution by substituting the result back into the original
equation.
Check 
Solve 3m + 4 = -11.
m = -5
x-5
Solve 8 = ____
​​  7   
​​. 
x = 61
Example 2  Write and Solve a Multi-Step Equation
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FUNDRAISING The
2
student council raised ​​ __
5  ​​
of the money they need
to cover the cost of the
school dance with a bake
sale. They raised an
Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images
additional $150 selling
raffle tickets. If the
student council has raised
$630, what is the cost of
the dance? Write an
equation for the problem. Then solve the equation.
Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.
 Complete the table to write an equation for the cost of the dance.

Words Two fifths of the cost plus 150 is 630.

Variable Let c = the cost of the dance  .
__ 2
Equation ​​  5 ​​ • c + 150 = 630
2
     ​​ __
5 ​​c + 150 = 630 Original equation
2 - 150 = 630 - 150
 ​​ __
5 ​​c + 150 Subtract 150 from each side.
2
        ​​ __ 5 ​​c = 480 Simplify.
__ 5 __ 5
​​   ​ ​ 2 ​​   ​ ​
        2 ​​(__ ​  5 )
5
​ ​​c = 2 (480) Multiply each side by __
​​  2 ​​.

         c = 1200 Simplify.

The dance costs $ 1200  .

Check 
2
BASKETBALL A sporting goods store sold __
​​ 3 ​​  of its basketballs, but 8
were returned. Now the store has 38 basketballs. How many were there
originally? Write an equation for the problem. Then solve the equation. C
2
A. ​​ __
3 ​​b + 8 = 38; 45
2
B. ​​ __
3 ​​b - 8 = 38; 69
1
C. ​​ _
3  ​​b + 8 = 38; 90
1
D. ​​ _
3  ​​b - 8 = 38; 138

Example 3  Solve Multi-Step Equations with Letter

Coefficients Think About It!
Why do you have to
Some equations have coefficients that are represented by letters. To assume that a ≠ 0
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solve these equations, apply the process of solving equations to when solving the
isolate the variable. equation?
Solve ax + 7 = 5 for x. Assume that a ≠ 0. Sample answer: If a = 0,
      ax + 7 = 5 Original equation then ax = 0 and you
cannot divide by 0 to solve
    ax + 7 -7 = 5 -7 Subtract 7 from each side. the equation.
        ax = -2 Simplify.
ax
        ​​ __ ___ -2
a  ​​ = ​​  a   ​​ Divide each side by a.
-2
___
         x = ​​  a   ​​ Simplify.

Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

Lesson 2-3 • Solving Multi-Step Equations 87

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 Check 
Watch Out!
Solve 2 - ax = -8 for x. Assume a ≠ 0. D  
Isolate the Variable
10
Make sure that you are A. x = -​​ __
a  ​​
isolating x in the 6
equation. Remember B. x = -​​ __
a ​​
that a represents a 6
C. x = ​​ __
a ​​
coefficient, not the
10
variable. D. x = ​​ __
a  ​​

Pause and Reflect

Did you struggle with anything in this lesson? If so, how did you
deal with it?

Record your See students’ observations.

observations
here.

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Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

88 Module 2 • Equations in One Variable

THIS MATERIAL IS PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTED.