A free printable two-step equations worksheet for Grade 8 math.
By Kris Reddy, Ontario teacher · Updated October 16, 2026 · 29 questions (30 marks) · PDF + answer key
This free two step equations worksheet walks Grade 8 students through solving equations one clear step at a time. After a quick one-step warm-up, every two-step equation has its own box with lines for Step 1, Step 2 and a Check, so students build the habit of showing their work and proving their answer.
Students then solve equations with brackets, fractions and decimals, read equations from drawn balance scales, turn sentences into equations, test whether a value is a solution, and solve three real-world problems about a taxi fare, a gym membership and saving for a bike. Every answer in the key shows the working and was checked by computer. To print it, use the Download button above.
| Part | Skill practised | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | Warm-up: one-step equations | 2 |
| B | Two-step equations with Step 1 / Step 2 / Check boxes | 6 |
| C | Brackets, fractions and decimals | 4 |
| D | Balance scales (2 drawn diagrams) | 4 |
| E | Write an equation from words, then solve | 4 |
| F | Check whether a value is a solution | 2 |
| G | Three real-world problems | 6 |
| H | Spot the mistake | 2 |
The two step equations worksheet supports the Ontario Grade 8 math curriculum in the Algebra strand, where students solve equations involving multiple terms, whole numbers and decimals. Negative answers appear on purpose, so students learn that a solution doesn't have to be positive.
An equation is like a balanced scale: whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other. To get the variable alone, undo the operations in reverse order:
| Step | What to do | 3x + 4 = 19 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Undo the adding or subtracting | subtract 4: 3x = 15 |
| 2 | Undo the multiplying or dividing | divide by 3: x = 5 |
| 3 | Check by substituting | 3(5) + 4 = 19 ✓ |
The same idea handles trickier forms. For 7 − 2k = −5, subtract 7 to get −2k = −12, then divide by −2 to get k = 6. For a fraction like x/4 + 3 = 10, subtract 3, then multiply by 4 to get x = 28. Part B of the two step equations worksheet includes all of these.
Balance scales make equations visual. Each box holds the same unknown mass x, and the scale only balances when both sides are equal.
Part D of the two step equations worksheet uses two drawn scales. Students write the equation each one shows, then solve it. For more on the idea of keeping both sides equal, see equation solving on Wikipedia.
Many students can solve an equation but struggle to write one. Look for the key phrases: "twice a number" is 2n, "five more than" means + 5, and "is" means =. So "five more than twice a number is 21" becomes 2n + 5 = 21, which gives n = 8. Watch out for brackets: "the sum of a number and 6, multiplied by 2" is 2(n + 6), not 2n + 6. Part E of the two step equations worksheet has four of these to translate and solve.
These questions match the two step equations worksheet PDF, which has step boxes, balance diagrams, answer lines and a checking table.
Open each part to check the two step equations worksheet answers. The printable key is on the last two pages of the PDF.
These are the errors that come up most when marking this two step equations worksheet. Part H targets two of them directly.
For more practice, try the algebra basics quiz, the multi-step word problems quiz and the integers quiz for negative-number practice.
Yes. The worksheet and its answer key are free to download and print as one PDF, with no account needed.
A two-step equation needs two inverse operations to solve, such as 3x + 4 = 19. First subtract 4 to get 3x = 15, then divide by 3 to get x = 5.
Undo the adding or subtracting first, then undo the multiplying or dividing. This is the order of operations in reverse.
Substitute your answer back into the original equation. If both sides are equal, it's correct: 3(5) + 4 = 19 ✓.
It is written for Grade 8 math and also works for Grade 7 extension or Grade 9 review.
Ready to start? Use the Download button above to print the free two step equations worksheet double-sided, and keep the answer key pages for marking.