You've done one step equations and hopefully you can now do the age problem. To find out whether you got it right, just look at the answers for the algebra exercise, they're at the end. You've got to admit it, they really were'nt that hard! You're ready to do the two step equations now.

Example 1 of two step equation

1. Solve the equation 3n + 13 = 34.
   This is the same as saying "I think of a number, I multiply it by 3 I add 13, the answer is 34".
   Again you could just work backwards to find n using the flowchart method.
   • n � 3 3n + 13 34

   • So working backwards we get
     34 - 13 3n = 21 � 3 n = 7

   You could also use the balance method.
   

   
   
   Example 2
   
2. Solve the equation 4n - 3 = 13 .
   
   • Again you can use any of the suggested method as before. I won't write out the flow chart method for you, it should be obvious by now!
     
   • For the balance method, imagine that one of the boxes have 3 marbles missing instead of having -3 marbles!
   
   Now put 3 marbles on both sides so that you get 4n = 16. Do the rest without me telling you what to do!

   Further Examples Solve the equations
   

3. ⁿ/₄ + 7 = 8.
4. ⁿ/₃ + 5 = 9
5. 3(n + 5) = 18

Even More Equations

Exercise

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