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2.4.4: Multi-Step Equations with Decimals

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    Solve Multi-Step Equations Involving Decimals

    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Sam found a bunch of change under his bed. He has a pile of quarters, a pile of dimes and a pile of nickels. He has the same number of quarters, dimes and nickels. When he adds it all up, he has eight dollars and eighty cents. How many of each coin does Sam have?

    In this concept, you will learn to solve multi-step equations involving decimals.

    Multi Step Equations with Decimals

    Integers include positive whole numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, . . .), their opposites (-1, -2, -3, -4, -5, . . .), and zero. Integers are rational numbers. A rational number is any number that can be written as the ratio of two integers or you can think of this in fraction form. So, an integer such as -3, which can be written as the ratio −3/1, is a rational number.

    A fraction, such as 1/4, can be written as the ratio of two integers. So, fractions are rational numbers.

    A terminating decimal, such as 0.1, is also rational because it can be written as the ratio 1/10.

    A repeating decimal, such as 0.333¯, is rational because even though the digit 3 repeats over and over in the decimal form. It can be expressed as the ratio of two integers or 1/3. All integers, fractions, terminating decimals and repeating decimals are rational numbers. You can solve equations with other rational numbers in them.

    Let’s start by looking at solving equations involving decimals.

    Solve for ‘x’:

    3x−2.5x+0.5=4.5

    First, subtract the like terms on the left side of the equation.

    3x−2.5x+0.5=4.5

    3.0x−2.5x+0.5=4.5

    0.5x+0.5=4.5

    Next, isolate the term with the variable, 0.5x, on one side of the equation. Since 0.5 is added to 0.5x, we should subtract 0.5 from both sides of the equation.

    0.5x+0.5=4.5

    0.5x+0.5−0.5=4.5−0.5

    0.5x=4.0

    Then, divide by 0.5 to solve for ‘x’.

    0.5x=4.0

    0.5x/0.5=4.0/0.5

    x=8

    The answer is 8.

    Examples

    Example 2.4.4.1

    Earlier, you were given a problem about Sam who found the change under his bed. He looked at the pile of nickels, dime, and quarters and noticed that he had the same number of each coin. When he added it up, he had a total of $8.80. He wants to know how many of each coin he has.

    Solution

    First, let ‘c’ represent the number of each coin Sam has. Remember that a quarter is 25¢ or $0.25, a dime is 10¢ or $0.10, and a nickel is 5¢ or $0.05. So the equation for Sam to solve would be:

    0.25c+0.10c+0.05c=8.80

    Next, combine like terms.

    0.25c+0.10c+0.05c=8.80

    0.40c=8.80
    Then, divide both sides by 0.4.

    0.40c=8.80

    0.40c/0.40=8.80/0.40

    c=22

    The answer is 22.

    Sam has 22 of each type of coin.

    Example 2.4.4.2

    Solve for ‘x’:0.1(z−4.2)=0.48

    Solution

    First, you can see that we have parentheses in this equation. Apply the distributive property to the left side of the equation. Multiply each of the two numbers inside the parentheses by 0.1.

    0.1(z−4.2)=0.48

    (0.1×z)−(0.1×4.2)=0.48

    0.1z−0.42=0.48

    Next, solve as you would solve any two-step equation. To get 0.1z by itself on one side of the equation, add 0.42 to both sides.

    0.1z−0.42=0.48

    0.1z−0.42+0.42=0.48+0.42

    0.1z=0.90

    Then, to get z by itself on one side of the equation, divide both sides by 0.1.

    0.1z=0.90

    0.1z/0.1=0.90/0.1

    z=9

    The answer is 9.

    Example 2.4.4.3

    0.7x=4.90

    Solution

    First, to get x by itself on one side of the equation, divide both sides by 0.7.

    0.7x=4.90

    0.7x/0.7=4.90/0.7

    x=7

    The answer is 7.

    Example 2.4.4.4

    0.3x+10=31

    Solution

    First, solve as you would solve any two-step equation. To get 0.3x by itself on one side of the equation, subtract 10 from both sides.

    0.3x+10=31

    0.3x+10−10=31−10

    0.3x=21

    Next, to get ‘x’ by itself on one side of the equation, divide both sides by 0.3.

    0.3x=21

    0.3x/0.3=21/0.3

    x=70

    The answer is 70.

    Example 2.4.4.5

    0.18x+0.2x+4=4.76

    Solution

    First, combine like terms on the left side of the equation.

    0.18x+0.2x+4=4.76

    (0.18x+0.2x)+4=4.76

    0.38x+4=4.76

    Next, to get 0.38x by itself on one side of the equation, subtract 4 from both sides.

    0.38x+4=4.76

    0.38x+4=4.76-4

    0.38x=0.76

    Then, to get ‘x’ by itself on one side of the equation, divide both sides by 0.38.

    0.38x=0.76

    0.38x/0.38=0.76/0.38

    x=2

    The answer is 2.

    Review

    Solve each equation to find the value of the variable.

    1. 3.2n+6.5n=38.8
    2. 0.2(3+p)=4.6
    3. 0.09y−0.08y=1.2
    4. 0.06x+0.05x=0.99
    5. 0.09x=81
    6. 0.6x+1=19
    7. 9.05x=27.15
    8. 0.16x+3=3.48
    9. 2.3a+4=15.5
    10. 2(a+4)+0.5a=23
    11. 0.54y+0.16y+0.22y=3.68
    12. x0.6=0.8
    13. y0.25=9
    14. 0.6x−0.5x+11=12.1
    15. 0.26x+0.18x=−3.08

    Review (Answers)

    To see the Review answers, open this PDF file and look for section 3.9.

    Vocabulary

    Term Definition
    Decimal In common use, a decimal refers to part of a whole number. The numbers to the left of a decimal point represent whole numbers, and each number to the right of a decimal point represents a fractional part of a power of one-tenth. For instance: The decimal value 1.24 indicates 1 whole unit, 2 tenths, and 4 hundredths (commonly described as 24 hundredths).
    fraction A fraction is a part of a whole. A fraction is written mathematically as one value on top of another, separated by a fraction bar. It is also called a rational number.
    Integer The integers consist of all natural numbers, their opposites, and zero. Integers are numbers in the list ..., -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...
    rational number A rational number is a number that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers, with the denominator not equal to zero.
    Repeating Decimal A repeating decimal is a decimal number that ends with a group of digits that repeat indefinitely. 1.666... and 0.9898... are examples of repeating decimals.
    Terminating Decimal A terminating decimal is a decimal number that ends. The decimal number 0.25 is an example of a terminating decimal.

    Additional Resources

    Video:

    Practice: Multi-Step Equations with Decimals

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