Two-step equations, step by step
A two-step equation needs the operations undone in the opposite order to the one they were done in.
The question
11x + 3 = 14
11x + 3=14
11x + 3=14
11x=11
11x=11
x=1
11x + 3=14
11x=11
x=1
- Two things were done to x: multiplied by 11, then 3 added. Undo them in the REVERSE order — whatever happened last comes off first.
- The 3 went on last, so it comes off first — and off BOTH sides, or the two halves stop being equal. 14 − 3 = 11.
- That leaves 11x, which means 11 lots of x. Divide both sides by 11: 11 ÷ 11 = 1.
- Check by putting it back: 11(1) + 3 = 14. It holds, so x = 1.
How it works.
- 01
Two things were done to x: multiplied by 11, then 3 added. Undo them in the REVERSE order — whatever happened last comes off first.
- 02
The 3 went on last, so it comes off first — and off BOTH sides, or the two halves stop being equal. 14 − 3 = 11.
- 03
That leaves 11x, which means 11 lots of x. Divide both sides by 11: 11 ÷ 11 = 1.
- 04
Check by putting it back: 11(1) + 3 = 14. It holds, so x = 1.