Standard 2: Solve multi-step one-variable equations and inequalities.

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General Information
Number: MA.8.AR.2
Title: Solve multi-step one-variable equations and inequalities.
Type: Standard
Subject: Mathematics (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 8
Strand: Algebraic Reasoning

Related Benchmarks

This cluster includes the following benchmarks.

Related Access Points

This cluster includes the following access points.

Access Points

MA.8.AR.2.AP.1a
Identify the steps to solve a given multi-step equation in one variable, with integers coefficients. Include equations with variables on both sides.
MA.8.AR.2.AP.1b
Solve multi-step equations in one variable, with integers coefficients. Include equations with variables on both sides.
MA.8.AR.2.AP.2
Select a two-step inequality from a list that represents a real-world situation and use substitution to solve.
MA.8.AR.2.AP.3

Given an equation in the form of x²= p and x³= q, use tools to determine real solutions where p is a perfect square up to 144 and q is a perfect cube from –125 to 125.

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this topic.

Formative Assessments

Roots and Radicals:

Students are asked to solve simple quadratic and cubic equations and represent solutions using square root and cube root symbols.

Type: Formative Assessment

Recycled Inequalities:

Students are asked to solve a real-world problem by writing and solving an inequality.

Type: Formative Assessment

Write, Solve and Graph an Inequality:

Students are asked to write, solve, and graph a two-step inequality.

Type: Formative Assessment

Gift Card Inequality:

Students are asked to solve a two-step inequality.

Type: Formative Assessment

Linear Equations - 2:

Students are asked to solve a linear equation in one variable with rational coefficients.

Type: Formative Assessment

Linear Equations - 1:

Students are asked to solve a linear equation in one variable with rational coefficients.

Type: Formative Assessment

Equation Prototypes:

Students are asked to write examples of equations with one solution, no solutions, and infinitely many solutions.

Type: Formative Assessment

Counting Solutions:

Students are asked to identify and explain whether given equations have one solution, no solutions, or infinitely many solutions.

Type: Formative Assessment

Linear Equations - 3:

Students are asked to solve a linear equation in one variable with rational coefficients and variables on both sides of the equation.

Type: Formative Assessment

Lesson Plans

How Will the Ninja Capture the Valuable Princess?:

This lesson allows students to solve two-step equations involving a mythological story line in which the princess (variable) is protected by a bodyguard (number added or subtracted in an equation) and by a protector (number multiplied or divided by the variable). The three characters live in a castle, surrounded by the moat (equal sign) and an innocent bystander that lives outside the castle (number on the opposite side of the variable). However, Ninjas are infiltrating the castle to steal the “valuable” princess. Using this story line, students must then decide who the Ninja must eliminate first to get to the princess. This lesson can also be used to solve equations with like terms on the same side and equations with the same variable on each side.

Type: Lesson Plan

Vertical Angles: Proof and Problem-Solving:

Students will explore the relationship between vertical angles and prove the Vertical Angle Theorem. They will use vertical angle relationships to calculate other angle measurements.

Type: Lesson Plan

Parallel Lines:

Students will prove that alternate interior angles and corresponding angles are congruent given two parallel lines and a traversal. Students will use GeoGebra to explore real-world images to prove their line segments are parallel.

Type: Lesson Plan

Company Charges:

In this lesson, students will learn how to write and solve linear equations that have one solution, infinitely many solutions, and no solutions. As the students decipher word problems, they will recognize which elements of equations affect the number of possible solutions. This lesson is guided by a PowerPoint presentation.

Type: Lesson Plan

The Speeding Ticket (Part 1: Solving Linear Equations with One Variable):

"The Speeding Ticket" lesson uses real world application to create and solve linear equations and tables with one variable numerically, verbally, and algebraically. The student will also learn the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Type: Lesson Plan

Method to My Mathness:

In this lesson, students will complete proof tables to justify the steps taken to solve multi-step equations. Justifications include mathematical properties and definitions..

Type: Lesson Plan

The Variable Stands Alone:

Students will practice and create problems solving linear equations that involve one solution, no solution, infinitely many solutions. There will be class discussion so students can verbalize their thoughts. In addition, students will create their own real-world problems that can be used for the next day’s extension exercise.

Type: Lesson Plan

How Many Degrees?:

This lesson facilitates the discovery of a formula for the sum of the interior angles of a regular polygon. Students will draw all the diagonals from one vertex of various polygons to find how many triangles are formed. They will use this and their prior knowledge of triangles to figure out the sum of the interior angles. This will lead to the development of a formula for finding the sum of interior angles and the measure of one interior angle.

Type: Lesson Plan

Justly Justifying:

Students will review the properties used in solving simple equations through a quiz-quiz-trade activity. As a class, they will then associate these properties with individual steps in solving equations. The students will then participate in a Simultaneous Round Table to practice their justifications. Finish the lesson with a discussion on the different methods that students could use to acquire the correct answer. The following day, students will take a short quiz to identify misconceptions.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

Square Root Part 3: Simplifying Radicals:

Learn how to simplify radicals in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Square Root Part 2: Non-Perfect Squares:

Learn what non-perfect squares are and find the decimal approximation of their square roots in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Square Root Part 1: Perfect Squares:

Learn what perfect squares are and find their square roots in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 5 How Many Solutions?:

Learn how equations can have 1 solution, no solution or infinitely many solutions in this interactive tutorial.

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 4 Putting it All Together:

Learn alternative methods of solving multi-step equations in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-step Equations: Part 3 Variables on Both Sides:

Learn how to solve multi-step equations that contain variables on both sides of the equation in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 2 Distributive Property:

Explore how to solve multi-step equations using the distributive property in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part two of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 1 Combining Like Terms:

Learn how to solve multi-step equations that contain like terms in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part one of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Justifiable Steps:

Learn how to explain the steps used to solve multi-step linear equations and provide reasons to support those steps with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Solving Equations using Zero Pairs:

Unlock an effective teaching strategy for teaching solving equations using zero pairs in this Teacher Perspectives video for educators.

Type: Perspectives Video: Teaching Idea

Problem-Solving Tasks

Fishing Adventures 2:

Students are asked to write and solve an inequality to determine the number of people that can safely rent a boat.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Sports Equipment Set:

The student is asked to write and solve a two-step inequality to match the context.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Coupon Versus Discount:

In this task, students are presented with a real-world problem involving the price of an item on sale. To answer the question, students must represent the problem by defining a variable and related quantities, and then write and solve an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Solving Equations:

In this activity, the student is asked to solve a variety of equations (one solution, infinite solutions, no solution) in the traditional algebraic manner and to use pictures of a pan balance to show the solution process.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

The Sign of Solutions:

It is possible to say a lot about the solution to an equation without actually solving it, just by looking at the structure and operations that make up the equation. This exercise turns the focus away from the familiar "finding the solution" problem to thinking about what it really means for a number to be a solution of an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Selling Fuel Oil at a Loss:

The task is a modeling problem which ties in to financial decisions faced routinely by businesses, namely the balance between maintaining inventory and raising short-term capital for investment or re-investment in developing the business.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 1:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 2:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Tutorial

Solve a Consecutive Integer Problem Algebraically:

This video will show how to solve a consecutive integer problem.

 

Type: Tutorial

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Original Student Tutorials

Square Root Part 3: Simplifying Radicals:

Learn how to simplify radicals in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Square Root Part 2: Non-Perfect Squares:

Learn what non-perfect squares are and find the decimal approximation of their square roots in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Square Root Part 1: Perfect Squares:

Learn what perfect squares are and find their square roots in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 5 How Many Solutions?:

Learn how equations can have 1 solution, no solution or infinitely many solutions in this interactive tutorial.

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 4 Putting it All Together:

Learn alternative methods of solving multi-step equations in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-step Equations: Part 3 Variables on Both Sides:

Learn how to solve multi-step equations that contain variables on both sides of the equation in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part five of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 2 Distributive Property:

Explore how to solve multi-step equations using the distributive property in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part two of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • Click HERE to open Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Multi-Step Equations: Part 1 Combining Like Terms:

Learn how to solve multi-step equations that contain like terms in this interactive tutorial. 

This is part one of five in a series on solving multi-step equations.

  • [CURRENT TUTORIAL] Part 1: Combining Like Terms
  • Click HERE to open Part 2: The Distributive Property
  • Click HERE to open Part 3: Variables on Both Sides
  • Click HERE to open Part 4: Putting It All Together
  • Click HERE to open Part 5: How Many Solutions?

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Justifiable Steps:

Learn how to explain the steps used to solve multi-step linear equations and provide reasons to support those steps with this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Problem-Solving Tasks

Fishing Adventures 2:

Students are asked to write and solve an inequality to determine the number of people that can safely rent a boat.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Sports Equipment Set:

The student is asked to write and solve a two-step inequality to match the context.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Coupon Versus Discount:

In this task, students are presented with a real-world problem involving the price of an item on sale. To answer the question, students must represent the problem by defining a variable and related quantities, and then write and solve an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Solving Equations:

In this activity, the student is asked to solve a variety of equations (one solution, infinite solutions, no solution) in the traditional algebraic manner and to use pictures of a pan balance to show the solution process.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

The Sign of Solutions:

It is possible to say a lot about the solution to an equation without actually solving it, just by looking at the structure and operations that make up the equation. This exercise turns the focus away from the familiar "finding the solution" problem to thinking about what it really means for a number to be a solution of an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Selling Fuel Oil at a Loss:

The task is a modeling problem which ties in to financial decisions faced routinely by businesses, namely the balance between maintaining inventory and raising short-term capital for investment or re-investment in developing the business.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 1:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 2:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Tutorial

Solve a Consecutive Integer Problem Algebraically:

This video will show how to solve a consecutive integer problem.

 

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this topic.

Problem-Solving Tasks

Fishing Adventures 2:

Students are asked to write and solve an inequality to determine the number of people that can safely rent a boat.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Sports Equipment Set:

The student is asked to write and solve a two-step inequality to match the context.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Coupon Versus Discount:

In this task, students are presented with a real-world problem involving the price of an item on sale. To answer the question, students must represent the problem by defining a variable and related quantities, and then write and solve an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Solving Equations:

In this activity, the student is asked to solve a variety of equations (one solution, infinite solutions, no solution) in the traditional algebraic manner and to use pictures of a pan balance to show the solution process.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

The Sign of Solutions:

It is possible to say a lot about the solution to an equation without actually solving it, just by looking at the structure and operations that make up the equation. This exercise turns the focus away from the familiar "finding the solution" problem to thinking about what it really means for a number to be a solution of an equation.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Selling Fuel Oil at a Loss:

The task is a modeling problem which ties in to financial decisions faced routinely by businesses, namely the balance between maintaining inventory and raising short-term capital for investment or re-investment in developing the business.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 1:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task

Chicken and Steak, Variation 2:

In this problem-solving task students are challenged to apply their understanding of linear relationships to determine the amount of chicken and steak needed for a barbecue, which will include creating an equation, sketching a graph, and interpreting both. This resource also includes annotated solutions.

Type: Problem-Solving Task