Aim

• Express missing number problems algebraically.

Two-Step Equations Diving

a) Which representation matches the equation 2(x + 4) = 10?

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 2(x + 4) = 10
? ? = ü x =1
+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 2 x + 4 = 10
? ? = x x =3
+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1
? ? ? ? = x 4x + 2 = 10
+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 x =2

b) What equations do the other two representations show?

c) What is the value of x in each equation?
Two-Step Equations Diving

Compare the value of x and y in these

equations using <, > and =.

3x + 3 = 24 3y + 9 = 24 x =7 > y =5

4(x + 8) = 44 4(y + 5) = 44 x =3 < y =6

Two-Step Equations Deeper

Is the value of the letter x the same in both equations?

Prove your answer and explain your reasoning.

3(x + 4) = 36 (! + 4) = 36 ÷ 3
(! + 4) = 12
! = 12 – 4
!=8

3x + 4 = 28 3! = 28 - 4
3! = 24
! = 24 ÷ 3
!=8

The value of x is the same in both equations.

Two-Step Equations Deeper

In balancing this equation, x = 5.

? ? ?

I can balance =
this equation using
the expression Do you agree with Mindy?
! + 9.
Mindy is incorrect.
If x = 5 then 3x = 15,
x + 9 = 14 which doesn’t balance.

Write three different expressions

that will balance this equation.
Many answers are possible, including
x + 10, 20 – x, and 75 ÷ x.
Two-Step Equations Deepest

There are six different ways to complete this equation. Can you find them
all and write the six different equations. Show your working out.

x + 6 = 30
When we subtract 6 from both sides of the
equation, we cancel out the ‘add 6’. The equation
then becomes (something multiplied by !) = 24.
Therefore the equation can be completed using all
the factors of 24:

12! + 6 = 30 where ! = 2
8! + 6 = 30 where ! = 3
6! + 6 = 30 where ! = 4
4! + 6 = 30 where ! = 6
3! + 6 = 30 where ! = 8
2! + 6 = 30 where ! = 12
Two-Step Equations Deepest

The total length of all four pencils is 170cm. Pencil A and B are the same
length. Find the length of pencil C.

A 6! + 3 = 45
6x + 3 6! = 45 - 3
6! = 42
! = 42 ÷ 6
B !=7
45cm

Pencil C = 170 – (45 + 45 + 50)

C = 30cm
?
5! + 15 =
(5 × 7) + 15 =
D 35 + 15 = 50
5x + 15 Pencil D = 50cm
Two-Step Equations

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National Curriculum Aim
Express missing number problems algebraically.

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