1.

2 Solving Multi-Step Equations

Learning Target: Write and solve multi-step linear equations.

Success Criteria: • I can apply more than one property of equality to produce equivalent
equations.
• I can solve multi-step linear equations using inverse operations.
• I can write multi-step linear equations that model real-life situations.

EXPLORE IT Solving a Real-Life Problem

Work with a partner. You earn $9.75 per hour at your part-time job.
Your paycheck for last week is shown.

Mobile Deposit
Pay This Amount

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Chec

Check
Ch ck Number:
ck N
$286.65
Number: 1253
1 3
12
17999 Anytown Rd.
Pay Date:
a e: 1/10/20
Dat 1/10/2
1
1/10
10/2
200
Anywhere, Ohio 79643

Pay Th
This Am
Amount
m unt

TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX DOLLARS AND 65 CENTS $286.65

286.65
28 6.6
6 65
65
Pay To The
Order Of
JANE DOE VOID AFTER 90 DAYS
7251 FLOWER TOWN AVE
ANYWHERE, OH 79643

a. How many hours did you work last week? Explain how you found
your answer.

b. This week you earn the same amount as last week, but that amount
includes $39 that you earn babysitting. Without solving, determine
whether you work more hours at your part-time job this week than
last week. Explain your reasoning.

c. Find the number of hours you work this week at your part-time job.
Show two different ways to solve.

d. The equation below represents the amount of money you will earn next
week. Let h represent the number of hours you work this week.

9.75(h + 6) + 39 = 345.15
Explain what each part of the equation represents.
i. h + 6 ii. 9.75(h + 6) iii. 39
4 COMMUNICATE e. Solve the equation in part (d) three different ways using each of the
MTR
CLEARLY following as the first step.
Does it matter which
step you perform first i. Subtract 39 from each side.
when solving? Explain ii. Subtract 345.15 from each side.
your reasoning to a
classmate. iii. Divide each side by 9.75.

Compare the solution methods. Is one solution method more efficient

than the other solution methods? Explain your reasoning.

Algebraic Reasoning
MA.912.AR.2.1 Given a real-world context, write and solve one-variable multi-step linear equations.
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 Solving Multi-Step Linear Equations

KEY IDEA
Solving Multi-Step Equations
To solve a multi-step equation, simplify each side of the equation, if necessary.
Then use inverse operations to isolate the variable.

EXAMPLE 1 Solving a Two-Step Equation

Solve 2.5x − 13 = 2. Check your solution.

SOLUTION
2.5x − 13 = 2 Write the equation.

Undo the subtraction. + 13 + 13 Addition Property of Equality

Check
2.5x = 15 Simplify.
2.5x − 13 = 2
2.5x 15 ?
Undo the multiplication. —= — Division Property of Equality 2.5(6) − 13 = 2
2.5 2.5
x=6 Simplify. 2=2 ✓
The solution is x = 6.

EXAMPLE 2 Combining Like Terms to Solve an Equation

Solve −12 = 9x − 6x + 15. Check your solution.

SOLUTION
−12 = 9x − 6x + 15 Write the equation.
−12 = 3x + 15 Combine like terms.
Undo the addition. − 15 − 15 Subtraction Property of Equality
−27 = 3x Simplify. Check
−27 3x −12 = 9x − 6x + 15
Undo the multiplication. —=— Division Property of Equality
3 3 ?
−12 = 9(− 9) − 6(− 9) + 15
−9 = x Simplify.
−12 = −12 ✓
The solution is x = −9.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

1. −2n + 3 = 9 2. −21.5 = —12 c − 11 3. −2x − 10x + 12 = 18

4. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE To solve the equation 2x + 3x + 5 = 20, your friend first
combines 2x and 3x because they are _________.

5. REASONING In Example 2, explain how you know that −12 = 9x − 6x + 15

and −27 = 3x have the same solution.
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 Using Structure to Solve a
EXAMPLE 3
Multi-Step Equation

Solve 2(1 − x) + 3 = − 8. Check your solution.

SOLUTION
Method 1 One way to solve the equation is by using the Distributive Property.
2(1 − x) + 3 = −8 Write the equation.
2(1) − 2(x) + 3 = −8 Distributive Property
REMEMBER 2 − 2x + 3 = −8 Multiply.
The Distributive Property
−2x + 5 = −8 Combine like terms.
states the following for
real numbers a, b, and c. −5 −5 Subtraction Property of Equality
Sum −2x = −13 Simplify.
a(b + c) = ab + ac −2x −13
—=— Division Property of Equality
Difference −2 −2
a(b − c) = ab − ac
x = 6.5 Simplify. Check
The solution is x = 6.5. 2(1 − x) + 3 = − 8
?
2(1 − 6.5) + 3 = − 8
−8 = −8 ✓
Method 2 Another way to solve the equation is by interpreting the expression
1 − x as a single quantity.
2(1 − x) + 3 = −8 Write the equation.
−3 −3 Subtraction Property of Equality
2(1 − x) = −11 Simplify.
2(1 − x) −11
—=— Division Property of Equality
2 2
3 REFLECT ON
MTR 1 − x = −5.5 Simplify.
YOUR METHOD
Explain why it is
−1 −1 Subtraction Property of Equality
convenient to first solve −x = −6.5 Simplify.
for the expression
1 − x, and then solve −x −6.5
—=— Division Property of Equality
for x. How else could −1 −1
you solve the equation? x = 6.5 Simplify.
The solution is x = 6.5.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

Solve the equation. Check your solution.

6. 3(x + 1) + 6 = −9 7. 17 = 7 + 4(2.2d − 8.5) 8. 13 = −2(y − 4) + 3y

3
9. 2x(5 − 3) − 3x = 5 10. −4(2m + 5) − —4 m = 22 11. 5(3 − x) + 2(3 − x) = 14

12. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Solve 2(4x − 11) = 10 in as many ways as you can.
Construct a viable argument to justify each of your solution methods.
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 Solving Real-Life Problems
7 EXAMPLE 4 B.E.S.T. Test Prep: Modeling Real Life
MTR

How many miles do you need to bike on Friday so

that the mean number of miles biked per day is 5? Day Miles
Monday 3.5
A 3.5 C 11
Tuesday 5.5
B 6 D 25 Wednesday 0
Thursday 5
SOLUTION
1. Understand the Problem You know how many miles you biked Monday through
Thursday. You are asked to find the distance you need to bike on Friday so that the
mean number of miles biked per day is 5.
2. Make a Plan Use the definition of mean to write an equation that represents the
problem. Then solve the equation.
3. Solve and Check The mean of a data set is the sum of the data divided by the
number of data values. Let x be the number of miles you need to bike on Friday.
3.5 + 5.5 + 0 + 5 + x
—— = 5 Write the equation.
5
14 + x
—=5 Combine like terms.
5
14 + x
⋅
5 —=5 5
5 ⋅ Multiplication Property of Equality

14 + x = 25 Simplify.
− 14 − 14 Subtraction Property of Equality
x = 11 Simplify.
You need to bike 11 miles on Friday. So, the correct answer is C .

Check Reasonableness Notice that on the days you did bike, the values are
close to the mean. Because you did not bike on Wednesday, you need to bike
about twice the mean on Friday. Eleven miles is about twice the mean. So,
your solution is reasonable.

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

1
13. The formula d = —2 n + 26 relates the nozzle
pressure n (in pounds per square inch) of a
fire hose and the maximum horizontal
distance d (in feet) the water reaches. How d
much pressure is needed to reach a fire
20 yards away?

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 7 EXAMPLE 5 Modeling Real Life
MTR

One person buys a used car in Indiana and pays $10,195, including 7% sales
tax and $425 in additional fees. Another person buys a used car in Florida
and pays $9995, including 6% sales tax and $420 in additional fees. Compare
the list prices of the used cars. (The list price is the price of the car before sales
tax and fees.)

SOLUTION
1. Understand the Problem You know how much each person pays for a car.
You also know the sales tax and additional fees in each state. You are asked to
compare the list prices of the cars.
2. Make a Plan Use a verbal model to write equations that represent the total
amount each person pays. Then solve the equations to find each list price.
3. Solve and Check
Sales tax rate Total
⋅
Verbal List List Other
+ (written as a + = amount
Model price price fees
decimal) paid
Variable Let p be the list price (in dollars) of the used car.
Equations
Indiana: Florida:
p + 0.07p + 425 = 10,195 Write the equation. p + 0.06p + 420 = 9995
REMEMBER 1.07p + 425 = 10,195 Combine like terms. 1.06p + 420 = 9995
To write a percent as
Subtraction Property
a decimal, remove the − 425 − 425 − 420 − 420
of Equality
percent symbol and divide
by 100. 1.07p = 9770 Simplify. 1.06p = 9575
1.07p 9770 1.06p 9575
—=— Division Property of Equality —= —
1.07 1.07 1.06 1.06
p ≈ 9130.84 Simplify. p ≈ 9033.02

So, the list price of the car in Indiana is about $9130.84 − $9033.02 = $97.82
more than the list price of the car in Florida.

Check
p + 0.07p + 425 = 10,195 p + 0.06p + 420 = 9995
? ?
9130 + 0.07(9130) + 425 ≈ 10,195 9030 + 0.06(9030) + 420 ≈ 9995

10,194.10 ≈ 10,195 ✓ 9991.80 ≈ 9995 ✓

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1 I don’t understand yet. 2 I can

an do it with help. 3 I can do it on my own. 4 I can teach someone else.

14. You have 96 feet of fencing to enclose a rectangular pen for your dog.
To provide sufficient running space for your dog to exercise,
xercise, the pen
should be three times as long as it is wide. Find the dimensions
imensions of the pen.
15. You are paid 1.2 times your normal hourly rate for each
ach hour you work over
40 hours in a week. You work 46 hours this week and
d earn $462.56.
What is your normal hourly rate?
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 1.2 Practice WITH AND

In Exercises 1−12, solve the equation. Check your NUMBER SENSE In Exercises 23−28, write and solve an
solution. (See Examples 1 and 2.) equation to find the number.
1. 3w + 7 = 19 2. 2g − 13 = 3 23. The sum of twice a number and 13 is 75.

3. 11 = 12 − q 4. 10 = 7 − m 24. The difference of three times a number and 4 is −19.

z a 25. Eight plus the quotient of a number and 3 is −2.

5. 5 = — − 3 6. — + 4 = 6
−4 3
26. The sum of twice a number and half the number is 10.
h+6 d−8
7. — = 2 8. — = 12
5 −2 27. Six times the sum of a number and 15 is −42.

9. 12v + 10v + 14 = 80 28. Four times the difference of a number and 7 is 12.

10. 24 = 13n − 4n + 9
USING TOOLS In Exercises 29 and 30, find the value
11. 3.8y + 5.6y − 2 = 2.7 of the variable. Then find the angle measures of the
polygon. Use a protractor to check the reasonableness of
7 1 your answer.
12. — c − 8 − — c = −16
10 2
29. 30.
120° 100° b°
13. MODELING REAL LIFE The altitude a (in feet) of a
plane t minutes after takeoff is given by
x° 3 (b + 45)°
a = 3400t + 600. How many minutes 120° 2
b°
after takeoff is the plane at an
altitude of 21,000 feet? 120° (2b − 90)° 90°
(x + 10)°
Sum of angle Sum of angle
measures: 720° measures: 540°

ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 31 and 32, describe and

correct the error in solving the equation.

14. MODELING REAL LIFE You are trying to use less 31.
water on laundry this month than you used on laundry
last month. The amount of water w (in gallons)
you save after x loads of laundry is given by
✗ −2(7 − y) + 4 = −4
−14 − 2y + 4 = −4
w(x) = 160 − 20x. How many loads of laundry did −10 − 2y = −4
you do this month if you saved 40 gallons of water? −2y = 6
In Exercises 15−22, solve the equation. Check your y = −3
solution. (See Example 3.)
15. 4(z + 5) = 32 16. −2(4g − 3) = 30
32.
17. 6 + 5(m + 1) = 26

19. −15 = −6(3 + x) + 4(x − 6)

18. 5h + 2(11 − h) = −5
✗ 1
—
4
(x − 2) + 4 = 12
1
—
4
(x − 2) = 8

x−2=2
20. 1 = 5(r + 9) − 2(1 − r)
x=4
21. 83.8 = 8.6c − 7.3(6 − 2c)

(
3 1
)
22. 3y − 2—4 —2 y − 4 = − 2 GO DIGITAL

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 MODELING REAL LIFE In Exercises 33−36, write and JUSTIFYING STEPS In Exercises 39 and 40, justify each
solve an equation to answer the question. step of the solution.
(See Examples 4 and 5.) 1
39. −—2 (5x − 8) − 1 = 6 Write the equation.
33. During the summer, you work 30 hours per week at
a gas station and earn $8.75 per hour. You also work −—12(5x − 8) = 7
as a landscaper for $11 per hour and can work as
many hours as you want. You want to earn a total of 5x − 8 = −14
$400 per week. How many hours must you work as
a landscaper? 5x = −6

34. The area of the surface of the swimming pool is x = −—65

210 square feet. What is the length of the deep end?
40. 2(x + 3) + x = −9 Write the equation.

2(x) + 2(3) + x = −9
deep shallow
end end
10 ft 2x + 6 + x = −9

3x + 6 = −9

d ft 9 ft 3x = −15

35. Your cell phone has 983.5 MB of free space. You save x = −5
a 1.4-MB picture and download two songs that are the
same size. Your cell phone now has 974.9 MB of free 41. CHOOSE A METHOD Solve the equation
space. What is the size of each song? 2(4 − 8x) + 6 = −1 using two different methods.
Which method do you prefer? Explain.
36. You order two tacos and a salad. The salad costs
$2.50. You pay 6% sales tax and leave a $3 tip. You
pay a total of $13.60. How much does one taco cost? 42. HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
The scatter plot shows the attendance for each
CONNECTING CONCEPTS In Exercises 37 and 38, write meeting of a gaming club.
and solve an equation to answer the question.
Gaming Club Attendance
37. The perimeter of the Puerto Rican flag is 150 inches.
y
What are the dimensions of the flag?
21
Students

20 18 17

10

y 0
0 1 2 3 4 x
Meeting
3
2
y
a. The mean attendance for the first four meetings
38. The perimeter of the school crossing sign is is 20. Is the number of students who attended
102 inches. What is the length of each side? the fourth meeting greater than or less than 20?
Explain.
b. Estimate the number of students who attended
s+6 s+6 the fourth meeting. Describe a way you can
check your estimate.

s s

2s
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 43. PROBLEM SOLVING A group of people are ordering 49. DIG DEEPER Find three consecutive even integers
admission tickets for Discovery Cove. The total cost that have a sum of 54. Explain your reasoning.
for the order is $485.04. How many people are in
the group?
50. THOUGHT PROVOKING
Charge Amount
Your math teacher assigns a weight to each
Admission price $144.00 per person component of the class. The weight of the final exam
Taxes 6.5% of admission total is half your grade, and the weights of the remaining
components are equal. What is the least possible
Resort fee (no tax) $4.99 per person
score you can receive on the final exam to earn an
Service fee (no tax) $9.99 per order A (90%) in the class? Explain your reasoning.
Your
44. MAKING AN ARGUMENT You have quarters and Component Weight Score × Weight
score
dimes that total $2.80. Your friend says it is possible
Class
that the number of quarters is 8 more than the number 92%
participation
of dimes. Is your friend correct? Explain.
Homework 96%
REASONING In Exercises 45− 48, the letters a, b, and c Quizzes 88%
represent nonzero constants. Solve the equation for x.
Midterm
Then find values of a, b, and c for which the solution is 76%
exam
negative.
Final exam
45. ax − b = 12.5 46. ax + b = c
Total 1
47. 2bx − bx = −8 48. cx − 4b = 5b

REVIEW & REFRESH

In Exercises 51–54, find the sum or difference. 58. NUMBER SENSE The sum of two-thirds a number
3 7 and eighteen is twenty-three. What is the number?
51. −3.37 + 4.135 52. 1—8 − —8
In Exercises 59–62, solve the equation. Check your
53. 18.36 − (−9.04) 54. −—
12
5
+ −—3 ( )
7
solution.

55. MODELING REAL LIFE About how many times 59. x + 9 = 7 60. 8.6 = z − 3.8
farther from the Sun is Neptune than Mercury?
61. 3r + 7 = 11 62. 26 = 9p − 6 − p
Average distance
Planet 63. Translate the triangle y
from the Sun (miles)
1 unit right and 3 units 2
Mercury 36,000,000 up. What are the B
Neptune 2.795 × 109 coordinates of the −2 2 x
image? A
11
56. Order the numbers —
20
, 49%, and 0.5 from least
to greatest. C

57. Find the perimeter and the area of the figure.

64. MODELING REAL LIFE Your friend borrows $7500
7m to buy an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). The simple
5m annual interest rate is 6%. She pays off the loan
after 5 years of equal monthly payments. How
6m
much is each payment?
5m
11 m 65. Factor 24x + 32 using the greatest common factor.

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