Mr.

Gs House of Math
Algebra I

Road Map #4: Multi-Step Equations/VOBS

A. Introduction to Multi-Step Equations __________
As you progress in your mathematical career, you will see that many problems
require more than just two steps to solve them. To name them by their
number of steps would get too cumbersome so we just refer to these as
______________________________.
There are two important strategies that arise in multi-step equations.
a) In order to eliminate parentheses, we will use the ____________________ property.
b)

In
order
to
simplify
an
______________________________.

expression,

we

will

often

need

Before using them in equations, lets practice these skills independently first.
Problem 1: Simplify the expression: 4(m 7)

Problem 2: Simplify the expression: x + 2x + 3 + 4

Problem 3: Simplify the expression: 2(5p 1) + 7

Problem 4: Simplify the expression: v + 2(v 3) + 6

Problem 5: Simplify the expression: 2(3a 4) 4(2a 3)

Problem 6: Simplify the expression: r + 2(r 3) 3(1 2r) + 2 3r

to

B. Solving Multi-Step Equations__________

Now lets use the distributive property and the process of combining like terms to
solve equations that require multiple steps.
Problem 7: Solve: t + 2t = 15

Problem 8: Solve: 2(x 4) = 10

Problem 9: Solve: 4(3n + 5) + 1 = 29

Problem 10: Solve: 2b + 3(5 7b) = 8

Problem 11: Solve: 4(5 m) 5(4 m) = 54

Problem 12: Solve: y 3[y 3(y 3)] = 3

C. VOBS: Variables on Both Sides__________

Every equation weve seen so far, regardless of the chaos on the left-hand side, has
been set equal to a number. Its time to crank it up another notch with what I
affectionately call VOBS: equations with variables on both sides of the
equal sign.
Lets jump right in with a couple of guided examples.
Problem 13: Solve: 4x 7 = x + 17
1. Subtract _____ from both sides.
2. Add _____ to both sides.
3. Divide by _____.

Problem 14: 3v + 5v + 2 = 4v + 7v 6
1. Combine like terms on the _____
side.
2. Subtract _____ from both sides.
3. Subtract _____ from both sides.
4. Divide by _____.

Problem 15: Solve: 3a 8 = 8a + 7

Problem 16: Solve: 2k 2 + 3k 3 = 4k + 4 + 5k + 5

D. More Complicated VOBS Problems__________

We can combine everything weve learned so far and examine what happens when
we include the distributive property on both sides of a VOBS.
Problem 17: Solve: 3(9x 4) + 6 = 7(x + 2)

Problem 18: Solve: 2(3 4x) + 5 = 6x + 7x 8 + 9

Problem 19: Solve: 2(3 g) 5(4g 1) = 3(1 2g)

Problem 20: Solve:

1
1
(2p 4) 7 (15p 25) 9
2
5

Name: ______________________________

Algebra I Power Practice #4

For questions 1 4, simplify the given expression.
1. 4(2w 3) + 9

2. x + 2(3x 4) + 5

3. 4(y + 2y) 8(y 5) 6

4. 4[5(z 2) + 1] 3(5z + z 12)

For questions 5 16, solve the equation for the given variable.
5. 1 4a = 4a 1

6. b + 2b + 3b = 72

7. 2(3c 5) + 7 = 3

8. 3(5 d) + 5(3 d) = d

9. f + 2f + 3f = 4f + 5f + 6f + 7 + 8

10. 6(g 9) + 2g = 5(g 4) + 8

11. 2(h + 1) 3(1 h) = 4(h + 3)

12. j j j j = 3(j 3 3 3)

13.

1
(4k 1) 3 1
4
14.

15. 3[4 5(2n 3)] (1 6n) = 10 n

1 m 1 1

2 3 4 5

16. (2 3)(p 2p) + 3p = p + |2 3|

For questions 17 20, evaluate the expression if x = 2 and y = 3.

17. 1 xy2

18. (x + 2y)2 xy

x y 1 x

x
xy
19.

8x
x

xy y

20.