Mastering One-Step Multiplication and Division Equations

Miacademy & MiaPrep Learning Channel

This educational video provides a clear, step-by-step tutorial on solving one-step algebraic equations involving multiplication and division. Guided by an instructor, viewers are walked through four distinct examples that progress in complexity: a standard multiplication problem, a multiplication problem with a negative coefficient, a division problem using the division symbol, and a division problem using fraction notation. The video emphasizes the core algebraic concept of inverse operations—using division to undo multiplication and multiplication to undo division—while reinforcing the golden rule of algebra: whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other. A key theme throughout the video is the importance of verification. After solving each variable, the instructor explicitly demonstrates how to check the answer using substitution. This involves plugging the calculated value back into the original equation to ensure both sides remain equal. The video addresses potential stumbling blocks, such as how to handle negative numbers in isolation and recognizing that fractions represent division. For educators, this resource serves as an excellent direct instruction tool for introducing algebra concepts or as a review for students struggling with specific notations. The visual format, which uses color-coded handwriting to distinguish between the original problem and the steps taken to solve it, helps students visualize the "balancing" process. It effectively demystifies the abstract nature of variables by grounding the math in consistent, repetitive procedures that build procedural fluency.