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Study Guides > Mathematics for the Liberal Arts Corequisite

Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties for Multi-Step Equations

Learning Outcomes

  • Solve a linear equation that needs to be simplified before using the subtraction and addition properties of equality
  • Check your solution to a linear equation to verify its accuracy
In the examples up to this point, we have been able to isolate the variable with just one operation. Many of the equations we encounter in algebra will take more steps to solve. Usually, we will need to simplify one or both sides of an equation before using the Subtraction or Addition Properties of Equality. You should always simplify as much as possible before trying to isolate the variable.

Example

Solve: [latex-display]3x - 7 - 2x - 4=1[/latex-display] Solution: The left side of the equation has an expression that we should simplify before trying to isolate the variable.
[latex]3x-7-2x-4=1[/latex]
Rearrange the terms, using the Commutative Property of Addition.[latex]3x-2x-7-4=1[/latex]
Combine like terms.[latex]x-11=1[/latex]
Add [latex]11[/latex] to both sides to isolate [latex]x[/latex] .[latex]x-11\color{red}{+11}=1\color{red}{+11}[/latex]
Simplify.[latex]x=12[/latex]
Check.Substitute [latex]x=12[/latex] into the original equation. [latex-display]3x-7-2x-4=1[/latex-display] [latex-display]3(\color{red}{12})-7-2(\color{red}{12})-4=1[/latex-display] [latex-display]36-7-24-4=1[/latex-display] [latex-display]29-24-4=1[/latex-display] [latex-display]5-4=1[/latex-display] [latex-display]1=1\quad\checkmark[/latex-display] The solution checks.
Now you can try solving a couple equations where you should simplify first.

TRY IT

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The last few examples involved simplifying using addition and subtraction. Let's look at an example where we need to distribute first in order to simplify the equation as much as possible.

example

Solve: [latex]3\left(n - 4\right)-2n=-3[/latex]

Answer: Solution: The left side of the equation has an expression that we should simplify.

[latex]3(n-4)-2n=-3[/latex]
Distribute on the left.[latex]3n-12-2n=-3[/latex]
Use the Commutative Property to rearrange terms.[latex]3n-2n-12=-3[/latex]
Combine like terms.[latex]n-12=-3[/latex]
Isolate n using the Addition Property of Equality.[latex]n-12\color{red}{+12}=-3\color{red}{+12}[/latex]
Simplify.[latex]n=9[/latex]
Check.Substitute [latex]n=9[/latex] into the original equation. [latex-display]3(n-4)-2n=-3[/latex-display] [latex-display]3(\color{red}{9}-4)-2\cdot\color{red}{9}=-3[/latex-display] [latex-display]3(5)-18=-3[/latex-display] [latex-display]15-18=-3[/latex-display] [latex-display]-3=-3\quad\checkmark[/latex-display] The solution checks.

Now you can try a few problems that involve distribution.

TRY IT

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The next example has expressions on both sides that need to be simplified.

example

Solve: [latex]2\left(3k - 1\right)-5k=-2 - 7[/latex]

Answer: Solution: Both sides of the equation have expressions that we should simplify before we isolate the variable.

[latex]2(3k-1)-5k=-2-7[/latex]
Distribute on the left, subtract on the right.[latex]6k-2-5k=-9[/latex]
Use the Commutative Property of Addition.[latex]6k-5k-2=-9[/latex]
Combine like terms.[latex]k-2=-9[/latex]
Undo subtraction by using the Addition Property of Equality.[latex]k-2\color{red}{+2}=-9\color{red}{+2}[/latex]
Simplify.[latex]k=-7[/latex]
Check.Let [latex]k=-7[/latex]. [latex-display]2(3k-1)-5k=-2-7[/latex-display] [latex-display]2(3(\color{red}{-7}-1)-5(\color{red}{-7})=-2-7[/latex-display] [latex-display]2(-21-1)-5(-7)=-9[/latex-display] [latex-display]2(-22)+35=-9[/latex-display] [latex-display]-44+35=-9[/latex-display] [latex-display]-9=-9\quad\checkmark[/latex-display]
The solution checks.

Now, you give it a try!

TRY IT

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In the following video we present another example of how to solve an equation that requires simplifying before using the addition and subtraction properties. https://youtu.be/shGKzDBA5kQ

Licenses & Attributions

CC licensed content, Original

  • Solve Linear Equations in One Variable with Simplifying (One-Step Add/Subtract). Authored by: James Sousa (Mathispower4u.com) for Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution.
  • Question ID 141735, 141737, 141739. Authored by: Lumen Learning. License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: IMathAS Community License CC-BY + GPL.

CC licensed content, Specific attribution