Multi Step Equations

A multi-step equation is an equation that requires more than one step to solve. It often involves combining like terms, using the distributive property, and isolating the variable.

Combine like terms: $$7x - 4 = 3$$ . Then add 4 to both sides: $$7x = 7$$ . Finally, divide by 7: $$x = 1$$ .

The distributive property states that $$a(b + c) = ab + ac$$ . It allows you to multiply a single term by two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

First, apply the distributive property: $$9x - 18 = 18$$ . Then add 18 to both sides: $$9x = 36$$ . Finally, divide by 9: $$x = 4$$ .

An equation has infinitely many solutions if any value of the variable satisfies the equation, often occurring when both sides of the equation are equivalent.

First, add 3m to both sides: $$49 = 7m + 14$$ . Then subtract 14 from both sides: $$35 = 7m$$ . Finally, divide by 7: $$m = 5$$ .

First, simplify the left side: $$a + 1 = -2$$ . Then subtract 1 from both sides: $$a = -3$$ .

To isolate a variable, perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side.

First, add 8x to both sides: $$12x - 2 = 22$$ . Then add 2 to both sides: $$12x = 24$$ . Finally, divide by 12: $$x = 2$$ .

A coefficient is a numerical factor that multiplies a variable in an algebraic expression, such as the 5 in $$5x$$ .