Solving Two-Step Algebra Equations

Now that you know all the rules for solving one-step equations, solving
two-step algebra equations will be a piece of cake! You will need prior knowledge of solving one-step equations in order to understand this lesson.

Each equation is going to be solved in two separate steps. Let's take a look:

Notice that in order to get x on the left hand side by itself, (x = ) we need to remove the 3 and the 2. Therefore, this equation will involve two separate steps.

Remember that you must use the opposite mathematical operation in order to remove a number from one side of an equation.

There's one rule to remember when solving two-step equations:

Always remove the constant first using addition or subtraction. Your second step will be to remove any coefficients or divisors using multiplication or division.

Let's solve this example together. Notice how two separate steps are involved in solving this equation!

Example 1

We'll look at another example similar to this one.

Example 2

The next two examples will demonstrate how to solve two-step equations when the coefficient is a fraction or when you have a divisor. Let's take a look!

Example 3

Example 4

Ok... one more example! This example involves an additional step before starting the two-step process.

If you have any terms in the equation that are like terms, then you will want to combine those like terms first before solving. Let's take a look....

Example 5