English Spanish

2.6 Solving Two-Step Equations

In a two-step equation, which step should

S
STATE you do first?
STANDARDS
MA.7.A.3.3
MA.7.A.3.4 1 EXAMPLE: Solving a Two-Step Equation
MA.7.A.5.2
Use algebra tiles to model and solve 2x − 3 = −5.
Model the equation 2x − 3 = −5.
=

Remove the three red tiles on the left side

by adding three yellow tiles to each side. =

Remove the three “zero pairs” from each side.

=

Because there are two green tiles, divide the =

red tiles into two equal groups.
=

Keep one of the groups. This shows the value of x. =

So, x = −1.

2 EXAMPLE: The Math Behind the Tiles

Solve 2x − 3 = −5 without using algebra tiles. Describe each step.

Which step is first, adding 3 to each side or dividing each side by 2?
Use the steps in Example 1 as a guide.
2x − 3 = −5 Write the equation.

2x − 3 + 3 = −5 + 3 Add 3 to each side.

2x = −2 Simplify.

2x −2
—=— Divide each side by 2.
2 2

x = −1 Simplify.

So, x = −1. Adding 3 to each side is the first step.

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3 ACTIVITY: Solving Equations Using Algebra Tiles

Work with a partner.
● Write an equation shown by the algebra tiles.
● Use algebra tiles to model and solve the equation.
● Check your answer by solving the equation without using algebra tiles.

a. b.
=
=

4 ACTIVITY: Working Backwards

Work with a partner.
a. Sample: Your friend pauses a video game to get a drink. You continue
the game. You double the score by saving a princess. Then you lose
75 points because you do not collect the treasure. You finish the game
with −25 points. How many points did you start with?
One way to solve the problem is to work backwards. To do this, start
with the end result and retrace the events.
You have −25 points at the end of the game. −25

You lost 75 points for not collecting the treasure, −25 + 75 = 50

so add 75 to −25.

You doubled your score for saving the princess, 50 ÷ 2 = 25

so find half of 50.

So, you started the game with 25 points.

b. You triple your account balance by making a deposit. Then you
withdraw $127.32 to buy groceries. Your account is now overdrawn
by $10.56. By working backwards, find your account balance before
you made the deposit.

5. IN YOUR OWN WORDS In a two-step equation, which step should you do

first? Give four examples.
6. Solve the equation 2x − 75 = −25. How do your steps compare with the
strategy of working backwards in Activity 4?

Use what you learned about solving two-step equations to

complete Exercises 6 –11 on page 86.

Section 2.6 Solving Two-Step Equations 83

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2.6 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

EXAMPLE 1 Solving a Two-Step Equation

Solve −3x + 5 = 2. Check your solution.

Check
−3x + 5 = 2 Write the equation. −3x + 5 = 2
−5 −5 Subtract 5 from each side. ?
−3(1) + 5 = 2
?
−3x = −3 Simplify. −3 + 5 = 2
−3x
—=—
−3
−3
−3
Divide each side by −3. 2=2 ✓
x=1 Simplify.

So, the solution is x = 1.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

Exercises 6 –17 1. 2x + 12 = 4 2. −5c + 9 = −16 3. 3(x − 4) = 9

EXAMPLE 2 Solving a Two-Step Equation

x 1 7
Solve — − — = −—.
8 2 2
Study Tip x 1 7
— − — = −— Write the equation.
You can simplify the 8 2 2
equation in Example 2
1 1 1
before solving. Multiply +— +— Add — to each side.
each side by the LCD of 2 2 2
the fractions, 8.
x
x 1 7 — = −3 Simplify.
— − — = −— 8
8 2 2
x − 4 = −28
x = −24 ⋅ 8x
8 — = 8 (−3) ⋅ Multiply each side by 8.

x = −24 Simplify.

So, the solution is x = −24.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

Exercises 20–25 m z 2 6
4. — + 6 = 10 5. −— + 5 = 9 6. — + 4a = −—
2 3 5 5

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EXAMPLE 3 Combining Like Terms Before Solving

Solve 3y − 8y = 25.

3y − 8y = 25 Write the equation.

−5y = 25 Combine like terms.

y = −5 Divide each side by −5.

So, the solution is y = −5.

EXAMPLE 4 Real-Life Application

Top The height at the top of a roller coaster hill
is 10 times the height h of the starting point.
The height decreases 100 feet from the top
to the bottom of the hill. The height at the
10h
−100 bottom of the hill is −10 feet. Find h.
Start
h
−10
Bottom

Location Verbal Description Expression

Start The height at the start is h. h
The height at the top of the hill is
Top of hill 10h
10 times the starting height h.
Height decreases by 100 feet.
Bottom of hill 10h − 100
So, subtract 100.

The height at the bottom of the hill is −10 feet. Solve

10h − 100 = −10 to find h.

10h − 100 = −10 Write equation.

10h = 90 Add 100 to each side.

h=9 Divide each side by 10.

The height at the start is 9 feet.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

Exercises 29–34 7. 4 − 2y + 3 = −9 8. 7x − 10x = 15 9. −8 = 1.3m − 2.1m

10. WHAT IF? In Example 4, the height at the bottom of the hill is
−5 feet. Find the height h.

Section 2.6 Solving Two-Step Equations 85

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2.6 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. WRITING How do you solve two-step equations?

Match the equation with the first step to solve it.

n n
2. 4 + 4n = −12 3. 4n = −12 4. — = −12 5. — − 4 = −12
4 4
A. Add 4. B. Subtract 4. C. Multiply by 4. D. Divide by 4.

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

1 6. 2v + 7 = 3 7. 4b + 3 = −9 8. 17 = 5k − 2
9. −6t − 7 = 17 10. 8n + 16.2 = 1.6 11. −5g + 2.3 = −18.8
12. 2t − 5 = −10 13. −4p + 9 = −5 14. 11 = −5x − 2
15. 4 + 2.2h = −3.7 16. −4.8f + 6.4 = −8.48 17. 7.3y − 5.18 = −51.9

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in finding the solution.
18. 19.

✗ −6 + 2x = −10
2x
−6 + — = −—
2
10
2
✗ −3x + 2 = −7
−3x = −9
3x −9
−6 + x = −5 −— = —
3 3
x=1 x = −3

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

3 1 10 a 5 1 1 5
2 20. — g − — = −— 21. — − — = −— 22. −— + 2z = −—
5 3 3 4 6 2 3 6
b 5 2 3 1 9 4 7
23. 2 − — = −— 24. −— x + — = — 25. −— v + — = —
3 2 3 7 2 4 5 8

In Exercises 26 –28, write an equation. Then solve. Temperature

at 1:00 P.M.
26. WEATHER Starting at 1:00 p.m., the temperature changes
−4 degrees per hour. How long will it take to reach −1°? 35°F
27. BOWLING It costs $2.50 to rent bowling shoes. Each game
costs $2.25. You have $9.25. How many games can you bowl?
28. CELL PHONES A cell phone company charges a monthly fee
plus $0.25 for each text message. The monthly fee is $30.00 °F
and you owe $59.50. How many text messages did you have?

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Solve the equation. Check your solution.

3 29. 3v − 9v = 30 30. 12t − 8t = −52 31. −8d − 5d + 7d = 72
32. 6(x − 2) = −18 33. −4(m + 3) = 24 34. −8(y + 9) = −40
1
35. WRITING Write a real-world problem that can be modeled by — x − 2 = 8.
2
Then solve the equation.
3m
36. GEOMETRY The perimeter of the parallelogram m
is 102 feet. Find m.

REASONING Exercises 37 and 38 are missing information. Tell what information

is needed to solve the problem.
37. TAXI A taxi service charges an initial fee plus $1.80 per mile. How far can you
travel for $12?
38. EARTH The coldest surface temperature on the moon is 57 degrees colder
than twice the coldest surface temperature on Earth. What is the coldest
surface temperature on Earth?
39. SCIENCE On Saturday, you catch insects for your science class. Five of the insects
escape. The remaining insects are divided into three groups to share in class.
Each group has nine insects. How many insects did you catch on Saturday?
a. Solve the problem by working backwards.
x−5
b. Solve the equation — = 9. How does the answer compare with the
3
answer to part (a)?

−15 ft 40. UNDERWATER HOTEL You must scuba dive to the entrance
of your room at Jule’s Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida.
2
The diver is 1 foot deeper than — of the elevation of the entrance.
3
What is the elevation of the entrance?
Entrance

41. How much should you change the length of 12 cm

the rectangle so that the perimeter is 54 centimeters? Write
an equation that shows how you found your answer. 25 cm

Multiply or divide. SECTION 2.3

42. −6.2 × 5.6

8
( )
43. — × −2 —
3
1
2
5
44. — ÷ −—
2 ( )
4
5
45. −18.6 ÷ (−3)

46. MULTIPLE CHOICE Which fraction is not equivalent to 0.75? SKILLS REVIEW HANDBOOK
15 9 6 3
A — B — C — D —
20 12 9 4

Section 2.6 Solving Two-Step Equations 87