Absolutely! Let’s solve each of these
multi-step equations that involve the
distributive property and
negative coefficients. The goal is to isolate the variable `x` on one side of the equation.
---
General Strategy:
1. Use the
distributive property to eliminate parentheses.
2. Combine
like terms.
3. Use inverse operations to
isolate the variable.
4. Solve for `x`.
---
##
✔ Equation (1):
4x - 2(5x + 2) = 26
Step 1: Distribute the -2
→ 4x - 10x - 4 = 26
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -6x - 4 = 26
Step 3: Add 4 to both sides
→ -6x = 30
Step 4: Divide by -6
→ x = -5
✔ Answer: x = -5
---
##
✔ Equation (2):
-36 = -5x + 4(2x - 3)
Step 1: Distribute the 4
→ -36 = -5x + 8x - 12
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -36 = 3x - 12
Step 3: Add 12 to both sides
→ -24 = 3x
Step 4: Divide by 3
→ x = -8
✔ Answer: x = -8
---
##
✔ Equation (3):
-6x + 4(x + 2) = -4
Step 1: Distribute the 4
→ -6x + 4x + 8 = -4
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -2x + 8 = -4
Step 3: Subtract 8 from both sides
→ -2x = -12
Step 4: Divide by -2
→ x = 6
✔ Answer: x = 6
---
##
✔ Equation (4):
-20 = -7x + 4(2x - 2)
Step 1: Distribute the 4
→ -20 = -7x + 8x - 8
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -20 = x - 8
Step 3: Add 8 to both sides
→ -12 = x
✔ Answer: x = -12
---
##
✔ Equation (5):
42 = -3x + 7(x + 2)
Step 1: Distribute the 7
→ 42 = -3x + 7x + 14
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ 42 = 4x + 14
Step 3: Subtract 14 from both sides
→ 28 = 4x
Step 4: Divide by 4
→ x = 7
✔ Answer: x = 7
---
##
✔ Equation (6):
2x + 4(2x - 2) = 42
Step 1: Distribute the 4
→ 2x + 8x - 8 = 42
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ 10x - 8 = 42
Step 3: Add 8 to both sides
→ 10x = 50
Step 4: Divide by 10
→ x = 5
✔ Answer: x = 5
---
##
✔ Equation (7):
26 = 2x - 2(4x + 2)
Step 1: Distribute the -2
→ 26 = 2x - 8x - 4
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ 26 = -6x - 4
Step 3: Add 4 to both sides
→ 30 = -6x
Step 4: Divide by -6
→ x = -5
✔ Answer: x = -5
---
##
✔ Equation (8):
28 = 2x + 3(2x - 4)
Step 1: Distribute the 3
→ 28 = 2x + 6x - 12
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ 28 = 8x - 12
Step 3: Add 12 to both sides
→ 40 = 8x
Step 4: Divide by 8
→ x = 5
✔ Answer: x = 5
---
##
✔ Equation (9):
-15 = 3x + 6(-x + 2)
Step 1: Distribute the 6
→ -15 = 3x - 6x + 12
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -15 = -3x + 12
Step 3: Subtract 12 from both sides
→ -27 = -3x
Step 4: Divide by -3
→ x = 9
✔ Answer: x = 9
---
##
✔ Equation (10):
-2x + 2(-x - 2) = -24
Step 1: Distribute the 2
→ -2x - 2x - 4 = -24
Step 2: Combine like terms
→ -4x - 4 = -24
Step 3: Add 4 to both sides
→ -4x = -20
Step 4: Divide by -4
→ x = 5
✔ Answer: x = 5
---
## 📋 Final Answers:
| Problem | Answer |
|---------|--------|
| (1) |
x = -5 |
| (2) |
x = -8 |
| (3) |
x = 6 |
| (4) |
x = -12 |
| (5) |
x = 7 |
| (6) |
x = 5 |
| (7) |
x = -5 |
| (8) |
x = 5 |
| (9) |
x = 9 |
| (10) |
x = 5 |
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Let me know if you’d like to see any step explained in more detail! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of 3 step equation worksheet.