Home » Math Theory » Algebra » Solving Simple Equations (3 of 3)

Note: this page contains legacy resources that are no longer supported. You are free to continue using these materials but we can only support our current worksheets, available as part of our membership offering.

Solving Simple Equations (3 of 3)

We’ve seen how to solve equations by doing one thing to both sides of an equation. Below are two examples:

Problem Solution
n + 17 = 100  
Take 17 away from both sides to leave a on the left n + 17 – 17 = 100 – 17
n + 0 = 83
n = 83
Problem Solution
6y = 54  
Divide both sides by 6 6y ÷ 6 = 54 ÷ 6
y = 9

Sometimes there are problems that need slightly more complicated equations. For example, let’s say you want to buy a coat that costs $100. You have $40. Your mum has told you that she will match whatever amount of money you can save to help you buy the coat. How much do you need to save?

Amount you need to save let’s call it ‘n’
Amount you’ll have after you have saved and your mum has matched
(or doubled) it.
2 x n (or 2n) 
Amount you already have 40
Amount you need 100
Putting it altogether 2n + 40 = 100

To solve equations like 2n + 40 = 100 we need to “get rid of” two things: the +40 and the x2. We need to do two things and the order we do them in is important. The examples below show what we can do to solve these types of equations:

2n + 40 = 100
Step 1: Subtract 40 from both sides 2n + 40 – 40 = 100 – 40
  2n = 60
Step 2: Divide both sides by 2 2n ÷ 2 = 60 ÷ 2
  n = 30

It is very important that we solve equations like the ones on this page by doing the addition or subtraction before doing the division or multiplication.

3n – 7 = 17
Step 1: Add 7 to both sides 3n – 7 + 7 = 17 + 7
  3n = 24
Step 2: Divide both sides by 3 3n ÷ 3 = 24 ÷ 3
  n = 8
a/7 + 8 = 9
Step 1: Subtract 8 from both sides a/7 + 8 – 8 = 9 – 8
  a/7 = 1
Step 2: Multiply both sides by 7 a/7 x 7 = 1 x 7
  a = 7
b/2 – 16 = 40
Step 1: Add 16 to both sides b/2– 16 + 16 = 40 + 162
  b/2= 562
Step 2: Multiply both sides by 2 b/2 x 2 = 56 x 22
  b = 112

Print the worksheets below to help practice solving equations using two steps.

The four worksheets above are also included here with more solving equations worksheets.

Link/Reference Us

We spend a lot of time researching and compiling the information on this site. If you find this useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly link to or reference Helping with Math as the source. We appreciate your support!

  • "Solving Simple Equations (3 of 3)". Helping with Math. Accessed on March 18, 2024. https://helpingwithmath.com/solving-simple-equations-3-of-3/.

  • "Solving Simple Equations (3 of 3)". Helping with Math, https://helpingwithmath.com/solving-simple-equations-3-of-3/. Accessed 18 March, 2024.

  • Solving Simple Equations (3 of 3). Helping with Math. Retrieved from https://helpingwithmath.com/solving-simple-equations-3-of-3/.