Question

How can you use the backward problem-solving strategy to solve a two-step equation

Answer 1

Let's use the equation 5x - 20 = 10 as an example for this.

To work backwards from this, you would add the same amount to each side.

You want to isolate the 5x so that you can solve for x.

To do that, you would add 20.

But again, you must add and subtract the same amount to both sides.

So it would look a bit like this:

5x - 20 + 20 = 10 + 20

That would simplify to 5x = 30, or in other words, x = 6.

Basically, you isolate the multiple of the variable then divide the answer to the equation from that multiple.

In the example, 5 is the multiple and after isolating it, the answer was 30.

30 ÷ 5 = 6

x = 6

Hope this helps :)