Name: Two-step equations: solution walkthrough
Uploaded: 2026-11-13
Duration: 1 min 53 s
Description: What value of x makes the equation 3x + 6 = 27 true? Try it, then watch the animated solution.

The equation is a balance: three

x

boxes and

6

tiles on the left weigh the same as

27

tiles on the right.

To build the left side,

x

is multiplied by

3

, then

6

is added. Undo in reverse: subtract

6

, then divide by

3

.

Take

6

tiles off each side so it stays level:

3x + 6 - 6 = 27 - 6

, which leaves

3x = 21

.

Three boxes balance

21

tiles, so one box balances

21 \div 3 = 7

. Check:

3 \cdot 7 + 6 = 27

.

Traps:

21

stops before dividing,

11

adds

6

instead of subtracting,

3

divides before removing the

6

.

Try it first