Name ________________________________________ Date __________________ Class__________________

LESSON Review for Mastery

2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Variables must be collected on the same side of the equation before the
equation can be solved.
Solve 10x = 2x − 16. Check:
10x = 2x − 16 10x = 2x − 16
−2x −2x Add −2x to both sides. 10(−2) =? 2(−2) − 16
8x = −16 −20 =? −4 − 16
8x −16
= Divide both sides by 8. −20 =? −20 9
8 8
x = −2
Solve 3x = 5(x + 2). Check:
3x = 5x + 10 Distribute. 3x = 5(x + 2)
−5x −5x Add –5x to both sides. 3(−5) =? 5(−5 + 2)
−2x = 10 −15 =? 5(−3)
−2x 10
= Divide both sides by −2. −15 =? −15 9
−2 −2
x = −5

Write the first step you would take to solve each equation.

1. 3x + 2 = 7x
2. −4x − 6 = −10x
3. 15x + 7 = −3x

Solve each equation. Check your answers.

4. 4x + 2 = 5(x + 10) 5. −10 + y + 3 = 4y − 13 6. 3(t + 7) + 2 = 6t − 2 + 2t

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2-30 Holt McDougal Algebra 1
Name _______________________________________ Date __________________ Class__________________

LESSON Review for Mastery

2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides continued
Some equations have infinitely many solutions. These equations are true for all values of the
variable. Some equations have no solutions. There is no value of the variable that will make
the equation true.
Solve
3x + 9 = 4x + 9
7x. Check any value of x:

3x + 9 =
3x + 9 Combine like terms. Try x = 4.

3x +3x Add 3x to each side.
3x + 9 = 4x + 9
7x
9=9 True statement.
3(4) + 9 =? 4(4) + 9
7(4)
The solution is the set of all real numbers.
12 + 9 =? 16 + 9
28

3 =?
3 

Solve 2x + 6 + 3x = 5x
10. Check any value of x:

2x + 6 + 3x = 5x
10 Try x = 1.
5x + 6 = 5x
10 Combine like terms. 2x + 6 + 3x = 5x
10

5x
5x Add
5x to each side. 2(1) + 6 + 3(1) =? 5(1)
10
6 =
10
False statement. 2 + 6 + 3 =? 5
10
There is no solution. 11 =?
5

Solve each equation.

7. x + 2 = x + 4 8.
2x + 8 = 2x + 4 9. 5 + 3g = 3g + 5

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10. 5x
1
4x = x + 7 11. 2(f + 3) + 4f = 6 + 6f 12. 3x + 7
2x = 4x + 10

________________________ _______________________ ________________________

Original content Copyright © by Holt McDougal. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
2-31 Holt McDougal Algebra 1