MATH - Solving Multi step Algebraic Equations

How to eliminate the parenthesis?

AKA distributing the variable. MULTIPLY the number outside of the parenthesis ( ) by the numbers inside. Example: 3(2P + 5) 3 x 2P + 3 x 5 6P + 15

Which do you do first? Add/subtract or multiply/divide?

Add/subtract

What's the opposite of subtraction?

Addition

Example 2x + 3x + 5 = 10 What do I do first?

Combine like terms.

Example: 2(3x+5) - x = 10 What do I do first?

Distribute the 2.

What's the opposite of multiplication?

Division

How to combine like terms?

Find all of the similar variable (letters) and color them plus the sign in front of them. Add or subtract those similar items together. Ex. 2x + 3y - x + 2y 2x - x & 3y +2y x + 5y

Example 2x = 9 + x What do I do first?

Move smaller variable.

What the opposite of division?

Multiplication

Example 2 + 3x = 11 What do I do first?

Subtract the 2.

What's the opposite of addition?

Subtraction

What are the 5 steps to solving multistep equations?

1. Distribute 2. Combine like terms 3. Move smaller variables 4. Inverse operation of constant 5. Solve 6. Check back