Maths Library

Two-step and multi-step equations: Year 9 maths

This topic covers solving equations requiring two or more algebraic steps, including brackets and unknowns on both sides. The worksheet guides pupils through inverse operations systematically to isolate the variable.

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What this covers

Two-step and multi-step equations is taught in Year 9 (age 14 to 15) as a main teaching focus. It sits in the Algebra strand.

Worked example

Solve: 4x - 7 = 2x + 9

  1. Subtract 2x from both sides: 2x - 7 = 9
  2. Add 7 to both sides: 2x = 16
  3. Divide both sides by 2: x = 8

Answer: x = 8

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. Two-step equations of the form ax + b = c with positive integers
  2. Two-step equations involving negative integers or divisions, e.g., x/3 - 4 = 5
  3. Equations with brackets, e.g., 3(2x - 1) = 21
  4. Equations with the unknown on both sides, e.g., 5x + 2 = 2x + 14
  5. Multi-step equations with brackets and unknowns on both sides, e.g., 3(x + 2) = 5x - 8

Common mistakes

  • Dividing before eliminating the constant term, leading to fraction arithmetic errors
  • Failing to change signs correctly when moving terms across the equals sign

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to Australian Curriculum v9. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • AC9M9A03 Solve linear equations and linear inequalities algebraically, displaying solutions on number lines.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Two-step and multi-step equations

Year 9 maths

Qs
6
Marks
18
NameDateScore / 18
1.
6x + 10 = -2
[3]
2.
3x + 10 = 1x + 24
[3]
3.
3x + 4 = 2x + 8
[3]
4.
3x + 11 = 2x + 20
[3]
5.
7x + 6 = 48
[3]
6.
7x + 2 = 16
[3]

Answer key

  1. x = −2Subtract 10 from both sides: 6x = −12; Divide by 6: x = −2
  2. x = 7Subtract 1x from both sides: 2x + 10 = 24; Subtract 10, then divide by 2
  3. x = 4Subtract 2x from both sides: 1x + 4 = 8; Subtract 4, then divide by 1
  4. x = 9Subtract 2x from both sides: 1x + 11 = 20; Subtract 11, then divide by 1
  5. x = 6Subtract 6 from both sides: 7x = 42; Divide by 7: x = 6
  6. x = 2Subtract 2 from both sides: 7x = 14; Divide by 7: x = 2