🔄 Solving Multi-Step Equations

The Multi-Step Strategy

1. Distribute (expand parentheses) if needed
2. Combine like terms on each side
3. Move variable terms to one side
4. Move constant terms to the other side
5. Divide (or multiply) to isolate x

Worked Example: 5x − 4 = 2x + 8

Step 1: Subtract 2x from both sides → 3x − 4 = 8

Step 2: Add 4 to both sides → 3x = 12

Step 3: Divide both sides by 3 → x = 4

Check: 5(4) − 4 = 16, and 2(4) + 8 = 16. ✓

Distributive Property

a(b + c) = ab + ac. Expand before combining like terms. Example: 3(x − 2) = 12 → 3x − 6 = 12 → 3x = 18 → x = 6.