Solving two‑step equations

The Maths Habit

□ × 3 + △ = 20
What could □ and △ be?
How many pairs can you find?

1 and 17, 4 and 8, 5 and 5, …

What is x?

  1. x + 6 = 15

    x = 9

  2. x − 9 = 3

    x = 12

  3. 4x = 28

    x = 7

  4. x5 = 6

    x = 30

Equation
Two things that are equal, shown with an equals sign.
Solve
Find the value of the letter.

2x + 3 = 11

xx3= 11

What is the first step?

2x + 8 = 18 Subtract 8

5x + 2 = 27

− 2 both sides
5x = 25
÷ 5 both sides
x = 5
Answerx = 5

3x + 7 = 25

− 7 both sides
3x = 18
÷ 3 both sides
x = 6
Answerx = 6

5x + 2 = 27

− 2 both sides
5x = 25
÷ 5 both sides
x = 5
Answerx = 5

4x + 3 = 31

− 3 both sides
4x = 28
÷ 4 both sides
x = 7
Answerx = 7

5x + 2 = 27

− 2 both sides
5x = 25
÷ 5 both sides
x = 5
Answerx = 5

2x + 11 = 29

− 11 both sides
2x = 18
÷ 2 both sides
x = 9
Answerx = 9

5x + 2 = 27

− 2 both sides
5x = 25
÷ 5 both sides
x = 5
Answerx = 5

3x + 14 = 50

− 14 both sides
3x = 36
÷ 3 both sides
x = 12
Answerx = 12

5x + 2 = 27

− 2 both sides
5x = 25
÷ 5 both sides
x = 5
Answerx = 5

5x + 6 = 46

− 6 both sides
5x = 40
÷ 5 both sides
x = 8
Answerx = 8

4x − 5 = 15

2x + 9 = 3

Solving two-step equations worksheet, page 1

Solving two-step equations worksheet, page 2

Answer sheet

  1. I think of a number, multiply it by 4 and subtract 6. The answer is 30. What was my number?

    9

  2. Solve 2x + 1 = x + 6

    x = 5

  3. Solve 6x + 1 = 6. Give x as a fraction.

    6x = 5, so x = 56

  1. Solve 5x + 6 = 41

    x = 7

  2. Solve 3x − 7 = 23

    x = 10

  3. Solve 4x + 16 = 4

    x = −3

  4. Solve 3x + 5 = 13. Give your answer as a fraction.

    x = 83
Exit tickets to print