# Solving Multi-Step Equations

The word “multi” means more than two, or many. That’s why solving multi-step equations are more involved than one-step and two-step equations because they require more steps.

The main goal in solving multi-step equations, just like in one-step and two-step equations, is to isolate the unknown variable on one side of the equation while keeping the constant or number on the opposite side.

However, there is no rule on where to keep the variable. It all depends on your preference. The “standard” or usual way is to have it on the left side. But there are cases when it makes more sense to keep it on the right side of the equation.

Since we are dealing with equations, we need to keep in mind that whatever operation we perform on one side must also be applied on the other to keep the equation “balanced”.

This concept of performing the same operation in both sides applies to the four arithmetic operations, namely: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, if we add 5 on the left side of the equation we must also add 5 on the right side.

## Key steps to remember:

1) Get rid of any grouping symbols such as square brackets, parentheses, etc, by applying the Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition.

2) Simplify both sides of the equation, if possible, by combining like terms.

3) Decide where you want to keep the variable because that will help you decide where to place the constant.

4) Eliminate numbers or variables by applying opposite operations: addition and subtraction are opposite operations as in the case of multiplication and division.

## Examples of How to Solve Multi-Step Equations

Example 1: Solve the multi-step equation below.

This is a typical problem in multi-step equations where there are variables on both sides. Notice that there is no parenthesis in this equation and no like terms to combine on both sides of the equation.

Clearly, our first step is to decide where to keep or isolate the unknown variable x. Since 7x is “larger” than 2x, then we might as well keep it to the left side. This means we will have to get rid of the 2x on the right side. To do that, we need to subtract both sides of the equation by 2x because the opposite of +2x is -2x.

After doing so, it is nice to see just the variable x on the left side. This implies that we have to move all the constants to the right side by eliminating +3 on the left side. The opposite of +3 is -3, therefore, we will subtract both sides by 3.

The last step is to isolate the variable x by itself on the left side of the equation. Since +5 is multiplying x, then its opposite operation is to divide by +5. So, we are going to divide both sides by 5 and then we are done!

Example 2: Solve the multi-step equation below.

Our very first step should be to get rid of the parenthesis by applying the Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition. That is, multiply -2 inside each term in the parenthesis (5-4x).

Now, it is time to decide where to keep the unknown variable x. If you decide to keep the variable on the left side, that is perfectly fine.

However, for practice, let’s try keeping it on the right side. We should arrive at the same answers.

To get rid of the -3x on the left side, we add both sides by 3x since the opposite of -3x is +3x. After we simplify by adding both sides by 3x, we obtain this less messy equation.

It’s nice to see the variable x just on the right side. So, we have to move all the constants to the left side.

Clearly, the -10 on the right must be removed. The opposite of -10 is +10, therefore, we will add both sides by 10. The last step is to isolate the variable x by itself on the right side of the equation.

Since +11 is multiplying x, then its opposite operation is to divide by +11. So, we are going to divide both sides by 11 and we are done!

Example 3: Solve the multi-step equation below.

Our first step should be to eliminate the parentheses on BOTH sides of the equation by applying the Distributive property. For the left side, multiply -4 inside each term of the parenthesis (4x-8) and for the right side, multiply +3 inside the parenthesis (-8x-1).

Now, before we even decide which side of the equation to isolate the variable, it looks like we have to perform some house cleaning. We need to combine like terms (the x’s) on the left side of the equation.

Again it doesn’t matter which side to isolate the variable being solved. Say, we decided to keep it on the left.

That means we have to get rid of the -24x on the right side. The opposite of -24x is +24x so we are going to add both sides by 24x.

Next, we have to move all the constants to the right side of the equation. That +32 on the left side must go! The opposite of +32 is -32, so then we will subtract both sides by 32.

The last step is to isolate the variable x by itself on the left side of the equation. Since +5 is multiplying x, then its opposite operation is to divide by +5. And so, let’s divide both sides by 5 and we are done!

Example 4: Solve the equation 13x - 9x + 20 = 30 + 2.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Combine the variables on the left side of the equation. That is, 13x - 9x=4x. Also, simplify the constants on the right side which gives us 30+2=32.

2) Get rid of 20 on the left side by subtracting 20 on both sides of the equation.

3) To solve for x, divide both sides by 4 to get x=3.

Example 5: Solve the equation below.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Combine like terms on both sides.

2) Subtract 6y on both sides to keep the variable y to the left side only.

3) Add 11 to both sides of the equation.

4) Finally, divide both sides by -10 to get the solution.

Example 6: Solve the equation below.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Combine the similar terms with variable m, and constants on both sides of the equation.

2) Add 5m to both sides of the equation. It will keep the variable on the left side and eliminate the variable on the right.

3) Add 14 to both sides.

4) The last step is to divide the one-step equation by -3 to get the value of m.

Example 7: Solve the equation 2\left( {x - 5} \right) = 5x + 23.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Eliminate the parenthesis on the left side of the equation by distributing the number outside the parenthesis into the binomial inside.

2) This time, for convenience, we will keep the variable to the right side. To do that, we subtract 2x on both sides of the equation.

3) Next, subtract 23 to both of the sides of the equation.

4) This leaves to simply divide both sides by the coefficient of 3x which is 3 to get the value of x .

Example 8: Solve the equation below.

Step-by-Step Solution:

1) Remove the two parentheses on both sides of the linear equation by applying the Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition.

2) Combine the constants on both sides. This will clean up the equation tremendously. 🙂

3) Add 7h to both sides to keep the term with a variable on the left while eliminating the one the right.

4) Add 57 on both sides of the equation to keep the constant on the right.

5) Divide both sides by 22 to get the final solution. That’s it!

### Multi-Step Equations Worksheets

You might also be interested in:

Solving One-Step Equations

One-Step Equations Practice Problems with Answers

Solving Two-Step Equations