2 Step Equations

A two-step equation such as \(3x + 4 = 22\) needs two inverse operations to find the pronumeral. This NSW Year 7 maths subtopic (NESA outcome MA4‑EQU‑C‑01) shows how to undo the steps in reverse order: addition or subtraction first, then multiplication or division.

You will solve equations with negative and decimal answers, and ones with a fraction such as \(\dfrac{x}{3} - 5 = 9\), as well as \(-6 - 4x = -14\), writing one step per line and checking by substitution. You will also turn a ‘think of a number’ puzzle into an equation and solve it. This subtopic is part of Year 7 Algebra and Equations.