Ever feel like math throws you a curveball? Two-step equations might seem tricky at first glance, but with a little practice, they become much less intimidating. Think of them as puzzles you can solve with a few simple moves!
We’re here to break down the mystery behind two-step equations, especially when division is involved. Get ready to learn a clear and easy method to confidently solve these equations, one step at a time, and boost your math skills!
Decoding Two Step Equations Division
Let’s start with a basic example: 2x + 4 = 10. The goal is to isolate ‘x’ on one side of the equation. To do this, we need to undo the operations happening to ‘x’, working backward from the order of operations. Remember PEMDAS/BODMAS?
First, we tackle the addition. Subtract 4 from both sides of the equation: 2x + 4 – 4 = 10 – 4. This simplifies to 2x = 6. It’s crucial to perform the same operation on both sides to maintain the equation’s balance.
Now comes the division! We have 2x = 6, meaning ‘x’ is being multiplied by 2. To isolate ‘x’, we divide both sides by 2: 2x / 2 = 6 / 2. This results in x = 3. Congratulations, you’ve solved the equation!
Let’s look at another example involving division from the start: x/3 – 1 = 5. In this case, ‘x’ is being divided by 3 and then has 1 subtracted from it. We reverse the steps to isolate ‘x’.
First, add 1 to both sides of the equation: x/3 – 1 + 1 = 5 + 1. This simplifies to x/3 = 6. Now, to get ‘x’ by itself, we need to undo the division. Multiply both sides by 3: (x/3) 3 = 6 3.
This simplifies to x = 18. Always double-check your answer by plugging it back into the original equation. Does 18/3 – 1 = 5? Yes, because 6 – 1 = 5. Practice is key to mastering these skills!
Mastering two-step equations division opens up a whole new world of mathematical possibilities. Keep practicing with different examples, and soon you’ll be solving them with confidence. Remember, every math whiz started where you are now! Keep up the great work, and you’ll be acing those equations in no time!