Mr.

Gs House of Math
Algebra I: Equationfest Continues!

Road Map #5: Equations with Special Solutions/Cross-Multiplication

A. Equations with Special Solutions __________
Before continuing on to a couple more notes about equations, let's take a quick
review of equations with variables on both sides.
Problem 1: Solve: 2(t + 3) t = 5(t 1) + 11

Notice, in the above problem, that the numbers "dropped out," leaving us with an
answer of _______________. Sometimes, the _______________ will drop out as
well.
Problem 2: Solve: 4(y + 3) = 3(y + 5) + y 3

When we finished this problem, the variables dropped out and we got a __________
mathematical statement. When this occurs, we say that the answer to our
problem is ______________________________.
Problem 3: Solve each of the following equations for x:
a) 1 x = x + 2

b) 2(x 1) = x 2

c) 3x + 2 = x + 2(x + 1)

The other side of the coin involves what happens when our variables drop out and
the resulting equation is _______________.
Problem 4: Solve: 3(x + 1) x = 2(x 1)

Clearly, we end up with a false statement. Thus, we say we have _______________.

Problem 5: Solve each of the following equations for a:
a) a = 1 a

b) a = 1 + a

c) a 1 = 1 a

d) a + 1 = a a

e) a a = a + a

f) a + 1 = 1 + a

g) a + 1 = 1 a

h) a 1 = a + 1

i) a = 1 (1 a)
B. Solving Equations Through Cross-Multiplication __________
Cross-multiplication is a powerful tool that can help us solve equations.
This is the official definition of cross-multiplication:
[ Definition of Cross-Multiplication ]

If

a c

b d

, then _______________.

Problem 6: Use cross-multiplication to prove that

12 2

18 3

Now lets move into the realm of equations with these. We will assume in this that
all denominators in these problems are defined.

Problem 7: Solve:

Problem 8: Solve:

w 10

3 15

9 12

4 b

Sometimes one of the numerators or denominators contains more than just a single
variable.

Problem 9: Solve:

m 5 2

9
3

Problem 10: Solve:

Problem 11: Solve:

15
3

2r 6 2

3n 1 2

4
3

Its perfectly acceptable for a variable to appear twice in a cross-multiplication

problem.

Problem 12: Solve:

Problem 13: Solve:

2x 1 5x

3
6

x 1 3

x 1 5

Problem 14: Solve

3x 4
2
4x 3

Solving note: In reality, every number is a fraction. Lets replace the 2 with
_______________.

Name: ______________________________

Algebra I Power Practice #5

For questions 1 15, solve the equation for the given variable.
1. a 1 = 2a + 3

2. 4 b = 9

3. c + 2(c + c) = 100

4. d + d + d = 3(d + 1)

7.

h 3

4 5

10. m m = m + m m

5. 0.5f = 8

8.

2j 1 5

3
6

11. 2(n 1) + 4 = 2(n +

1)

6. 2(g 1) = |5|

9.

k
4
k 1

12. 3(p 5) = 4(1 p) + 3

13. q 2[q + 2(q 2)] = 2

14. 2r 23 = 3r + 32

15. s + 1 s + 2 + s 3 =
2s

For questions 16 17, evaluate the expression if x = 4 and y = 9.

x x 2|
16. 2y |

xy
2

17. y y x 3(1 2x )

For questions 18 19, use order of operations to evaluate the given expression.
18. 1 2(3 + 4) + 5 2 6(7 8) + |9| |
10|

19. (1 2 + 3)(4 5 6)(7 + 8 9 10)

20. What is one thing youve learned about Algebra I so far?