Multi-Step Equations

Learning Outcomes

 Use properties of equality to isolate variables and solve algebraic equations

 Solve equations containing absolute value

Use Properties of Equality to Isolate Variables and Solve Algebraic Equations

First, let us define some important terminology:

There are some equations that you can solve in your head quickly. For example, what is the
value of y in the equation 2y=6? Chances are you didn’t need to get out a pencil and paper to
calculate that y=3. You only needed to do one thing to get the answer: divide 6 by 2.

Other equations are more complicated. Solving 4(13t+12)=6 without writing anything down is
difficult! That is because this equation contains not just a variable but also fractions and terms
inside parentheses. This is a multi-step equation, one that takes several steps to solve. Although
multi-step equations take more time and more operations, they can still be simplified and solved
by applying basic algebraic rules.

Remember that you can think of an equation as a balance scale, with the goal being to rewrite the
equation so that it is easier to solve but still balanced. The addition property of equality and the
multiplication property of equality explain how you can keep the scale, or the equation,
balanced. Whenever you perform an operation to one side of the equation, if you perform the
same exact operation to the other side, you will keep both sides of the equation equal.

If the equation is in the form ax+b=c, where x is the variable, you can solve the equation as
before. First “undo” the addition and subtraction and then “undo” the multiplication and division.

Example

Solve 3y+2=11.

Show Solution

Example

Solve 3x+5x+4−x+7=88.
Show Solution
Some equations may have the variable on both sides of the equal sign, as in this equation:

4x−6=2x+10.

To solve this equation, we need to “move” one of the variable terms. This can make it difficult to
decide which side to work with. It does not matter which term gets moved, 4x or 2x; however, to
avoid negative coefficients, you can move the smaller term.

Examples

Solve: 4x−6=2x+10
Show Solution

Try to solve; find x:

7x – 2 = 3x + 18

9x + 13 + 3x -3 = 0
Solving Multi-Step Equations With Absolute Value

We can apply the same techniques we used for solving a one-step equation which contained
absolute value to an equation that will take more than one step to solve. Let us start with an
example where the first step is to write two equations, one equal to positive 26 and one equal to
negative 26.

Now let us look at an example where you need to do an algebraic step or two before you can
write your two equations. The goal here is to get the absolute value on one side of the equation
by itself. Then we can proceed as we did in the previous example.
Solve the equation:

a) 6|2x+3| + 3 = 63

b) 4|3x + 8| + 7 = 40

c) 37|7x – 7| = 37

Solve Equations with the Distributive Property

Learning Outcomes

• Use the properties of equality and the distributive property to solve equations containing
parentheses

• Clear fractions and decimals from equations to make them easier to solve

The Distributive Property

As we solve linear equations, we often need to do some work to write the linear equations in a form we
are familiar with solving. This section will focus on manipulating an equation we are asked to solve in
such a way that we can use the skills we learned for solving multi-step equations to ultimately arrive at
the solution.

Parentheses can make solving a problem difficult, if not impossible. To get rid of these unwanted
parentheses we have the distributive property. Using this property we multiply the number in front of the
parentheses by each term inside of the parentheses.

The Distributive Property of Multiplication

For all real numbers a, b, and c, a(b+c)=ab+ac.

What this means is that when a number multiplies an expression inside parentheses, you can distribute the
multiplication to each term of the expression individually. Then, you can follow the steps we have already
practiced to isolate the variable and solve the equation.

Example

Solve for a : 4(2a+3)=28

In the next example, you will see that there are parentheses on both sides of the equal sign, so you will
need to use the distributive property twice. Notice that you are going to need to distribute a negative
number, so be careful with negative sign!

Example

Solve for t. 2(4t−5)=−3(2t+1)

Show Solution
Sometimes, you will encounter a multi-step equation with fractions. If you prefer not working with
fractions, you can use the multiplication property of equality to multiply both sides of the equation by a
common denominator of all of the fractions in the equation. This will clear all the fractions out of the
equation. See the example below.

Example

by clearing the fractions in the equation first.

Show Solution
Of course, if you like to work with fractions, you can just apply your knowledge of operations with
fractions and solve.

Regardless of which method you use to solve equations containing variables, you will get the same
answer. You can choose the method you find the easiest! Remember to check your answer by substituting
your solution into the original equation.

Sometimes, you will encounter a multi-step equation with decimals. If you prefer not working with
decimals, you can use the multiplication property of equality to multiply both sides of the equation by a a
factor of 1010 that will help clear the decimals. See the example below.

Example

Solve by clearing the decimals in the equation first.

Show Solution
Here are some steps to follow when you solve multi-step equations.
Solving Multi-Step Equations
1. (Optional) Multiply to clear any fractions or decimals.
2. Simplify each side by clearing parentheses and combining like terms.
3. Add or subtract to isolate the variable term—you may have to move a term with
the variable.
4. Multiply or divide to isolate the variable.
5. Check the solution.

Summary
Complex, multi-step equations often require multi-step solutions. Before you can begin to isolate a
variable, you may need to simplify the equation first. This may mean using the distributive property to
remove parentheses or multiplying both sides of an equation by a common denominator to get rid of
fractions. Sometimes it requires both techniques. If your multi-step equation has an absolute value, you
will need to solve two equations, sometimes isolating the absolute value expression first.

Classify Solutions to Linear Equations

Learning Outcomes

• Solve equations that have one solution, no solution, or an infinite number of solutions

• Recognize when a linear equation that contains absolute value does not have a solution

There are three cases that can come up as we are solving linear equations. We have already seen one,
where an equation has one solution. Sometimes we come across equations that do not have any solutions
and even some that have an infinite number of solutions. The case where an equation has no solution is
illustrated in the next example.

Equations with No Solutions

Example

Solve for x. 12+2x–8=7x+5–5x

Show Solution

This is not a solution! You did not find a value for x. Solving for x the way you know how, you arrive at
the false statement 4=5. Surely 4 cannot be equal to 5!

This may make sense when you consider the second line in the solution where like terms were combined.
If you multiply a number by 2 and add 4 you would never get the same answer as when you multiply that
same number by 2 and add 5. Since there is no value of x that will ever make this a true statement, the
solution to the equation above is “no solution.”

Be careful that you do not confuse the solution x=0 with “no solution.” The solution x=0 means that the
value 0 satisfies the equation, so there is a solution. “No solution” means that there is no value, not even
0, which would satisfy the equation.

Also, be careful not to make the mistake of thinking that the equation 4=5 means that 4 and 5 are values
for x that are solutions. If you substitute these values into the original equation, you’ll see that they do not
satisfy the equation. This is because there is truly no solution—there are no values for x that will make
the equation 12+2x–8=7x+5–5x true.

Think About It

Try solving these equations. How many steps do you need to take before you can tell whether the
equation has no solution or one solution?

Solve

8y=3(y+4)+y
Show Solution

b) Solve 2(3x−5)−4x=2x+7

Use the textbox below to record how many steps you think it will take before you can tell whether there is
no solution or one solution.

Show Solution
Algebraic Equations with an Infinite Number of Solutions
You have seen that if an equation has no solution, you end up with a false statement instead of a value for
x. It is possible to have an equation where any value for x will provide a solution to the equation. In the
example below, notice how combining the terms 5x and −4x on the left leaves us with an equation with
exactly the same terms on both sides of the equal sign.

Example

Solve for x. 5x+3–4x=3+x

Show Solution

You arrive at the true statement “3=3.” When you end up with a true statement like this, it means that the
solution to the equation is “all real numbers.” Try substituting x=0 into the original equation—you will
get a true statement! Try x=−34 and it will also check!

This equation happens to have an infinite number of solutions. Any value for x that you can think of will
make this equation true. When you think about the context of the problem, this makes sense—the
equation x+3=3+x means “some number plus 3 is equal to 3 plus that same number.” We know that this is
always true—it is the commutative property of addition!

Example

Solve for x. 3(2x−5)=6x−15

Show Solution
Absolute Value Equations with No Solutions

As we are solving absolute value equations, it is important to be aware of special cases. An absolute value
is defined as the distance from 0 on a number line, so it must be a positive number. When an absolute
value expression is equal to a negative number, we say the equation has no solution, or DNE. Notice how
this happens in the next two examples.

Example

Solve for x. 7+|2x−5|=4

Summary
We have seen that solutions to equations can fall into three categories:

• One solution

• No solution, DNE (does not exist)

• Many solutions, also called infinitely many solutions or All Real Numbers
Keep in mind that sometimes we do not need to do much algebra to see what the
outcome will be.