We have already learned how to solve two-step equations that require a combination of multiplication, division, subtraction, and/or adddition processes to find the value of the variable. We are now ready to solve multi-step equations which include equations whose solutions require expanding expressions using the distributive property and collecting like terms.
To solve multi-step equations involving parentheses, we will use the distributive property and properties of equality to remove parentheses and get the variable by itself on one side of the equals sign.
We can follow these steps to solve one-variable equations involving parentheses.
Solve the following equation: - 5 \left(x + 4\right) + 9 = - 41
Solve the following equation: 5 \left( 2 y + 2\right) + 3 \left( 4 y - 5\right) + 5 y = 45
When solving multi-step equations involving parentheses: