Math Example: Solving Two-Step Equations of the Form ax + b = c--Example 10

Topic

Solving Equations

Description

An example of solving a two-step equation involving multiplication and addition involves solving -3x + (-12) = -42 by performing two inverse operations: addition and division to isolate x. This example demonstrates how to isolate the variable by first undoing any addition or subtraction, followed by division to find the solution.

Solving equations is a foundational skill in algebra, involving steps to isolate the variable and solve for its value. This collection of examples illustrates different methods for solving two-step equations, reinforcing the importance of order in arithmetic operations.

Students benefit from seeing multiple worked-out examples to understand the nuances of each solution step. Repeated practice with various equations helps them recognize patterns and develop procedural fluency in solving equations.

Teacher's Script: Let's work through this example together. Notice how we start by removing any constants on the same side as the variable, then divide by the coefficient. Pay close attention to each operation, as it's important to do the steps in the correct order to solve for the variable.

For a complete collection of math examples related to Solving Equations click on this link: Math Examples: Solving Two-Step Equations Collection.