It’s a party!It’s a party!Solving Multi-step Equations

Review of One-Step EquationsReview of One-Step Equations2x = 8

x +3 = 15

x – 5 = 20

183

x

Be sure you can solve each type of problem before we begin!

With Multi-Step Equations it can be hard to know where to start….

pretend it’s a party!

You are the host - ‘X’

In what order do people leave a party?– Enemies (get rid of them to avoid trouble)

– Acquaintances (after mingling with everyone, they usually leave early)

– Friends (they hang out with the host a little longer)

– Family (if attending, they will stay to the end to help clean)

Who is who?Who is who?Consider our one-step equationsConsider our one-step equations

2x = 8

x +3 = 15

x – 5 = 20

183

x

FAMILY….right beside you…and only you… until the

end!

FRIENDS….they are close to you…they stay longer than

some people, but not as long as family

Who are the acquaintances?Who are the acquaintances?

73

52

x

ACQUAINTANCEACQUAINTANCE – Because this number mingles with all other many parts of the equation instead of giving most of its attention to the host (x), it is not a

friend…it is an acquaintance.

Identify all the Party-goersIdentify all the Party-goers

73

52

x

ACQUAINTANCE

FRIENDFAMILY

The equal sign is the door…who The equal sign is the door…who goes out the door first?goes out the door first?

73

52

x

733

523

x

ACQUAINTANCE – multiply each side of

the equation by 3.

The work:

2152 xThe result:

We still have company... lets continue….

Who is next to leave?Who is next to leave?

2152 xFriends – add 5 to each side.

The work:

262 xThe result:

All that is left is family…a familiar one-step equation.

2x – 5 = 21

+ 5 + 5

Clean up the party withClean up the party with a family member a family member

262 x

2

26

2

2

xFamily –

divide each side by 2

13x

The work:

The result:

Don’t forget to check your work with Order of Operations!

Try these problems:Try these problems:

55132 x

63

2

x

743

x

Steps:

1. Identify the party-goers

2. Eliminate party-goers in order

3. Get x (the host) alone

4. Check your solution

Enemies can ruin the entire party…Enemies can ruin the entire party…get rid of them first!get rid of them first!

1

34

3

62

3

1

1

3

x

43

62

3

1

xIts easy to spot

an enemy…they affect

everything!

To solve, multiply each side by the reciprocal

The work:

123

62

xThe result:Try to complete the problem from here….the answer is:

21

Its party time!Its party time!Do you know who is in your home?Do you know who is in your home?

103

93

3

5

x

Enemy

Acquaintance

Friend

Family

HOST

The Door!

See if you can ID the enemy, the friend, the acquaintance, a family member, the host and the door!