What is a one-step equation?

A one-step equation is an equation you can solve in just one math step.

An equation is a math sentence that says two things are equal.

Example:

Your goal is always:
👉 Find the value of the variable (usually a letter like x)
👉 Make the variable be by itself

The big idea (this part is important)

To solve one-step equations, you use inverse operations.

That just means:

• Addition ↔ Subtraction

• Multiplication ↔ Division

You undo what’s being done to the variable.

Type 1: Addition equations

Example:

What’s happening?

• 5 is being added to x

How do we undo addition?

• We subtract

Steps:

1. Subtract 5 from both sides

2. Simplify:

✅ Answer: x = 4

Type 2: Subtraction equations

Example:

What’s happening?

• 3 is being subtracted from x

How do we undo subtraction?

• We add

Steps:

1. Add 3 to both sides

2. Simplify:

✅ Answer: x = 13

Type 3: Multiplication equations

Example:

What’s happening?

• x is being multiplied by 4

How do we undo multiplication?

• We divide

Steps:

1. Divide both sides by 4

2. Simplify:

✅ Answer: x = 5

Type 4: Division equations

Example:

What’s happening?

• x is being divided by 6

How do we undo division?

• We multiply

Steps:

1. Multiply both sides by 6

2. Simplify:

✅ Answer: x = 42

How to check your answer (always do this!)

Plug your answer back into the original equation.

Example:

Check:

If both sides match, you’re correct 🎉

Common beginner tips

• Do the same thing to both sides

• Don’t rush—write every step

• If the variable isn’t alone, undo what’s attached to it

• One-step equations only need one move