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Solve Linear Equations
Solve Linear Equations
A linear equation is one in which the variables are to the first power;
When you are asked to solve a linear equation you are being asked to find the value of the
variable which will make the equation a true statement.
Example:
x = 4 is the solution to the equation 2x - 4 = 4. That means that if I substitute 4 into the equation
I will get a true statement; 2(4) - 4 = 8 - 4 = 4.
The properties state that you can add/subtract/multiply/divide the same number to both sides of
the equation and keep the equality.
KEEP IN MIND:
1) The object in solving an equation is to isolate the variable to one side with a coefficient of
positive one.
2) If you are bringing a term to the opposite side of the equal symbol, then do the opposite
operation.
GUIDELINE:
1) Solve x + 7 = 29
x = 22 is the solution. subtract 7 on both sides
2) Solve 8 = a – 32.
a = 40 is the solution. add 32 on both sides
3
3) Solve + m = - 12
4
3
m = 12 is the solution. subtract 3/4 on both sides
4
4) Solve 6x = -90
x = -15 is the solution. divide both sides by 6
5) Solve x = 12
5
x = 60 is the solution. multiply both sides by 5
7) Solve 4x – 3 = 29
NOTE:
1) The solution can be any real number. Therefore, 33/6 is equivalent to 5 ½ or 5.5.
2) There is more than way to solve equations. However, any correct approach will yield the
same solution. Remember what it means to find the solution.
6x - 3 = 4x + 20 simplify by distributing
2x - 3 = 20 subtract 4x on both sides
2x = 23 add 3 on both sides
x = 23/2 or 11.5 is the solution. divide both sides by 2
NOTE: Once you become more confident in solving equations, you may be able to do two steps
at one time. However, in all of these examples, I will demonstrate all steps.
12) Solve 4 - 1x = 3x - 1 .
5 4 10
16 - 5x = 6x - 20
16 - 11x = -20 subtract 6x on both sides
-11x = -36 subtract 16 on both sides
x = 36/11 is the solution. divide both sides by -11
2 1 3 1
13) Solve 3x 5 x 3x 7
3 4 4 2
2 1 3 1
12 3x 12 5 x 12 3x 7 Multiply each term by LCD of 12
3 4 4 2
1
8 3 x 9 5 x 6 3 x 7
4
24x - 2 = 45 - 9x - 18x + 42 simplify grouping symbols
24x - 2 = 87 - 27x collect like terms
51x - 2 = 87 add 27x on both sides
51x = 89 add 2 on both sides
x = 89/51 is the solution. divide both sides by 51
3 1 3
14) Solve
2x x 5
15 - 6x = 20
-6x = 5 subtract 15 on both sides
x = -5/6 is the solution. divide both sides by -6
15) Solve 2x + 12 - 4 - 6x = 8 .
4 3