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Year 6 · Maths · Algebra and sequences · Lesson 4

Two-step equations

Solve two-step linear equations using inverse operations in reverse order, and form and solve equations from word problems.

Whiteboard video lesson: Two-step equations

26-minute video lesson

Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.

Watch free for a month

What your child will learn

  • Solve two-step equations
  • Use inverse operations in reverse order
  • Form equations from words
  • Check solutions

The method

  1. Undo + or − first.
  2. Then undo × or ÷.
  3. Write x = ...
  4. Check.

Key words: equation, two-step, inverse, function machine, solve.

Worked examples

The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.

Question 1

Solve 2x + 1 = 9.

  1. Step 1: Subtract 1 from both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Divide both sides by 2
  4. Step 4: Check your answer

Answer: x = 4

Question 2

Solve 3x + 2 = 17.

  1. Step 1: Subtract 2 from both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Divide both sides by 3
  4. Step 4: Check your answer

Answer: x = 5

Question 3

Solve 4x + 5 = 33.

  1. Step 1: Subtract 5 from both sides
  2. Step 2: Write the new equation
  3. Step 3: Divide both sides by 4
  4. Step 4: Check your answer

Answer: x = 7