3. 3
Anticipatory Set
Given a multi-step equation list the steps you would
take to get x by itself.
1.) Distributive Property, if needed
2.) Combine Like Terms, if needed
3.) Move Variables to One
Side, if needed
4.) Use Inverse Operations to
Isolate the Variable
4. 4
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
-16 = 6a + 8 - 2a
5. 5
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
4(x - 5) = 20
6. 6
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
2(x + 5) - 7 = 3(x - 2)
7. 7
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
25g = 10g - 30
8. 8
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
9 - 7g = 5g - 15
9. 9
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
-y + 9y = 6y - 22
11. 11
ALGEBRA
The Search for Unknowns
Objective: Isolate the variable to find its value
RULES
4.) Use inverse operations
1.) Keep the equation balanced
2.) Simplify each side by combining like terms and
using the distributive property.
3.) Move variable to one side using inverse operations.
-2(2x + 4) = 3(2x - 6)