Name Date
WORKSHEET 3.3: SOLVING EQUATIONS BY MULTIPLYING OR
DIVIDING
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Follow the steps below to solve an equation by multiplying or dividing:
- Isolate the variable on one side of the equation by multiplying or dividing both sides of
the equation by the same nonzero number. - Find the value of the variable.
EXAMPLES
Solve each equation.
7 x=− 28 Divide each side by 7.
7 x
7
=
− 28
7
;x=− 4
−
3
4
x= 15 Multiply each side by−
4
3
. −
4
3
(
−
3
4
x
)
=−
4
3
×
15
1
;x=− 20
DIRECTIONS: Write the number you would use to multiply or divide both sides of the
equation. Then solve the equation.
- 6 a=− 42 2.
x
9
=− 18 3. −
1
3
x= 12
- 24 y=− 8 5. −n= 100 6. 15 =
1
3
d
- −
3
5
x=− 60 8. 24 =−
a
2
26 =− 13 x
y
6
= 12 11.
3
4
x= 24 12. − 20 =− 2 y
CHALLENGE:Martin solved the equation− 2 x=20 by dividing both sides of
the equation by−2. Brianna solved the equation by multiplying both sides
by−
1
2
. Who is correct? Explain your answer.
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Copyright
©
2011 by Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.