Biomath School

Welcome to Biomath School, in this lesson you will learn about

equations and inequations.
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Equations & Inequations

Equations have = sign, while Inequations have <> ≤≥ signs.
For example 2𝑥 + 5 = 10 , 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0 , 3𝑥 − 7𝑦 = 7 are equations.
For example 2𝑥 + 5 ≤ 10 & 3𝑥 − 7𝑦 > 7 are Inequations.
In this Lesson
1. Simultaneous equations 2-7 pages
2. Ordinary equations 8-11 pages
3. Quadratic equations 12-17 pages
4. Inequations 18-23 pages
1.0 How to solve 2

simultaneous equations
 Simultaneous equations can be solved using four methods below.
✓ Elimination
✓ Substitution
✓ Graphical
✓ Matrix
 Let us solve the simultaneous equations below, using all the four methods
above.

3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5……………(1)
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9………….(2)
1.1 Elimination Method 3
Let’s eliminate or remove
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 ×2 y, the second equation
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9 ×1 has -2, so we need to
multiply equation 1 by 2
and equation 2 by 1.
6𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 10
We should add the two
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9
equations now.
13𝑥 + 0 = 19
13𝑥=19
𝟔
𝑥= 𝟏
𝟏𝟑
19
3( ) + 𝑦 = 5….(1) Go back to equation
13
1and find the value of
57 + 13𝑦 = 65 y.
13𝑦 = 8
𝟖
𝑦=
𝟏𝟑
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1.2 Substitution Method
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5……………(1)
This method requires that
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9………….(2) one variable is made as a
subject of formula. In this
case we shall make y, the
𝑦 = 5 − 3𝑥 subject of formula.
7𝑥 − 2 5 − 3𝑥 = 9
7𝑥 − 10 + 6𝑥 = 9
13𝑥 = 9 + 10
13𝑥 = 19
𝟔 In equation 2 you should
𝑥=𝟏
𝟏𝟑 replace y with 5-3x and
solve for x.

6 𝟖
𝑦 =5−3 1 ,y =
13 𝟏𝟑
1.3 Graphical Method 5

This method requires that

we create coordinates, at
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 the points were each
variable is equal to zero,
2
𝑥 = 1 3 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 0 in
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9
equation 1,the coordinate
2
is therefore (1 3,0), 𝑦 =
2 5, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0, the
𝑥 = 1 7 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 0 in equation 2. the coordinate
2 1
coordinate is therefore
is therefore (1 7,0), 𝑦 = −4 2 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 = 0, the (0,5)
1
coordinate is therefore (0, −4 2)
 6
1.4 Graphical Method
continued
Where the two
lines meet are
the values of x
and y.
 7
1.5 Matrix Method
This number is called the
determinant , it is found by
cross multiplying the numbers
3𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5 and subtracting their products.
7𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9
3 1 5
=
7 −2 9
3 −2 − 1 7 = −13
𝑥 1 −2 −1 5
𝑦 = −
13 −7 3 9
𝑥 1 −2 × 5 + (−1 × 9) 1 −10 − 9 1 −19
𝑦 = − = − = −
13 −7 × 5 + (3 × 9) 13 −35 + 27 13 −8
𝟔 3 and -2 have swapped their
𝑥 𝟏 positions, 7 and 1 have
𝟏𝟑 negatives. If they were
𝑦 = 𝟖
negative they could have
𝟏𝟑 become positive.
 8
2.0 Ordinary Equations

Solve the equations below

When 9 cross
(i)3𝑎 − 9 = 6 to the right
3𝑎 = 6 + 9 side of the
equal sign, the
3𝑎 15 – changes to +
= =𝟓
3 3
(ii) 3𝑦 + 9 = 6 When 9 cross
3𝑦 = 6 − 9 to the right
side of the
3𝑦 −3
= = −𝟏 equal sign, the
3 3 + changes to -
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2.1Ordinary Equations Continued

Solve the equations below

𝑥−6
Cross multiply, 2x multiplied by 1
(i) =1 and x-6 should also be multiplied
2𝑥
𝑥 − 6 = 2𝑥 by 1. Collect the like terms, x and
𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 6 2x should subtract to get negative
x.
−𝑥 = 6
𝑥 = −𝟔
1
(ii) = 𝑜. 5
𝑚 Cross multiply, m multiplied by 0.5
1 and 1 by 1. If you want you can
𝑜. 5𝑚 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑚 = 1
2 multiply each side of the equation
𝑚=𝟐 by 10, so that you have 5m=10, the
value of m =2
 10
2.2 Ordinary Equations Continued

Solve (i) 4𝑦 − 3 2𝑦 + 1 = 1
-3 should be multiplied by
4𝑦 − 6𝑦 − 3 = 1
everything that is in the bracket
−2𝑦 = 1 + 3 2𝑦 + 1
−2𝑦 = 4
𝑦 = −𝟐
(ii) 45 − 𝑝 + 3 = 2𝑝
45 − 𝑝 − 3 = 2𝑝 -1 should be multiplied by
45 − 3 = 2𝑝 + 𝑝 everything that is in the bracket
42 = 3𝑝 𝑝+3
𝟏𝟒 = 𝑝
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2.3 Ordinary Equations Continued

2𝑥−3 5−𝑥
Solve the equation + =0
4 3
3 2𝑥 − 3 + 4 5 − 𝑥 = 0
6𝑥 − 9 + 20 − 4𝑥 = 0
6𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 9 + 20 = 0 Cross multiply 3 by 2x-3 and 4 by 5-x.
2𝑥 + 11 = 0 Arrange like terms and solve for x
2𝑥 = −11
𝟏
𝑥 = −𝟓
𝟐
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3.0 Quadratic Equations

Equations that have the format 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 are called quadratic

equations. They can be solved using four methods below. In this lesson
however, we shall concentrate on the first two. Graphical will be
covered under functions, a topic which you will learn later.
(i) Quadratic formula
(ii) Factorisation
(iii) Graphical
(iv) Completing the square
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3.1 Quadratic formula

−𝑏± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
The quadratic formula looks like this 𝑥 = .
So from 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 , if they
2𝑎
ask you to find the value of x, this is the formula to use, especially when the
quadratic equation cannot be factorised( we shall talk about Factorisation later).

So solve the quadratic equation below using the quadratic formula.

(i)3𝑦 2 + 11𝑦 + 4 = 0

−11± 112 −4×3×4 a=3, b=11, c=4

y=
2×3
−11± 121−48 −11± 73 −11±8.5440 −11+8.5440 −11−8.5440
Y= = = = or =-0.41 0r -3.25
6 6 6 6 6
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3.2 Quadratic Equations-Factorisation
Solve the quadratic equation below using Factorisation.
(i)𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
From this quadratic equation, you need to multiply the coefficient of 𝑥 2
which is 1 by -10. The answer is -10, so you should find two numbers
which when you multiply will give you -10, and when added they give
+3. The two numbers are +5 and -2.
𝑥+5 𝑥−2 =0
𝑥+5=0
𝑥 = −𝟓
𝑥−2=0
𝑥=𝟐
 15
3.3 Quadratic Equations-
Factorisation Continued
Solve the quadratic equation below.
(i) 𝑥 2 − 16 = 0
𝑥 2 = 16
𝑥 = 16
𝑥 = 𝟒 𝒐𝒓 − 𝟒 𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒚 ± 𝟒
 16
3.4 Quadratic Equations-
Factorisation Continued
Solve the quadratic equation below using Factorisation
8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15 = 0
Here 4x and 2x gives 8𝑥 2 when multiplied, +5 and -3 gives -15 when
multiplied. So the factors are (4x+5)(2x-3)=0
4𝑥 + 5 = 0
1
𝑥 = −1
4
2𝑥 − 3 = 0
1
𝑥=1
2
 17
3.5 Quadratic Equations-
Factorisation Continued
Solve the quadratic equation below using Factorisation
2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 3 = 0
Here -3 and 1gives -3 when multiplied. 2x and x gives 2𝑥 2 when
multiplied. So the factors are (2x-3)(x+1)=0.
2𝑥 − 3 = 0 x+1=0
X=-1
2𝑥 = 3
𝟏
𝑥=𝟏
𝟐
 18
4.0 Inequations

Solve the inequation below

(i) 6𝑥 + 3 ≥ 27
6𝑥 ≥ 27 − 3
6𝑥 ≥ 24
𝑥≥4
This sign remains the same, if x was negative it could have changed to
≤ as we shall see in the example on page 19.
(ii)5𝑥 − 6 < 2𝑥 + 9
5𝑥 − 2𝑥 < 6 + 9
3𝑥 < 15
𝑥<5
This sign remains the same, if x was negative it could have changed to
> as we shall see in the example on page 19.
 19
4.1 Inequations Continued

Solve the inequation below

-2 5𝑥 − 4 > 98
−10𝑥 + 8 > 98
−10𝑥 > 98 − 8
−10𝑥 > 90
−𝑥 > 9
𝑥 < −9
Since x is negative, the - sign should go to 9 and the > sign should
change to <.
 20
4.2 Inequations Continued

Solve the inequation below

(i) −4 < 3𝑥 + 5 ≤ 8
−4 − 5 < 3𝑥 ≤ 8 − 5
−9 < 3𝑥 ≤ 3
−3 < 𝑥 ≤ 1
𝒙 > −𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏

From this inequation make sure 5 is subtracted from either side, leaving
3x only, which you should divide into -9 and 3.
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4.3 Showing Inequations on a
graph
This is very important it is an introduction to a later topic that I will cover
called Linear programming. It is therefore imperative that you know the
basics.
Show the inequations below using a graph.
(i) 𝑦 > 2𝑥 − 1
(ii) 𝑥≤2
𝒚 > 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏, if y=0 x=0.5, if x=0 y=-1, in order to know which side to shade 22
you can pick points to the right and left of the line you have drawn and
test if they satisfy the inequation. Take (2,1) which is to the right of the line,
for example which is 1 >2(2)-1 or 1 >3 which is not true, but if you take (1,2)
which is to the left side, 2 >2(1)-1 or 2 >1, which is true so you shade the left
side as the wanted side. Note that the line should be dotted, the one
drawn here is for illustration only.
𝒚 > 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏
𝒙 ≤ 𝟐, the line should be solid because of the ≤ sign, the same should be 23
followed if it was a ≥ sign. The shaded area satisfies the inequation.

𝒙≤𝟐
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End of Lesson
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