Let's review inverse operations

addition <--> subtraction

multiplication <--> division

Use the inverse to "move" a term to the other side of the equation!

How do I solve multi-step equations?

• Simplify first.

• Look over the equation and decide the next steps.

What do you mean by simplify?

• Resolve parentheses using the Distributive Property.

• Combine like terms on the same side of the equation.

How do I simplify using the Distributive Property?

• Multiply the term on the outside of the parentheses times each term on the inside of the parentheses.

• Drop the parentheses.

Simplifying an Eq. with distributive looks like this:

How do I combine like terms on the same side of the equal sign?

• Add or subtract them as if the equal sign were not there.

• Remember that you should NOT use inverse operations or opposites to combine like terms on the same side of the equal sign.

It looks like this:

FOLLOW THESE STEPS!

Start at the first checkbox.

Work your way down the steps.

Don't stop until the variable is ALL BY ITSELF!