MODULE 4

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Introduction

In this module we will discuss a process for solving applications in general although we
will focus only on linear equations.

Solve word problems involving relationships between numbers. Solve geometry problems
involving perimeter. Solve percent and money problems including simple interest. Set up and
solve uniform motion problems.

After the end of the module, you should be able to:

1. translate verbal expressions into mathematical symbols;
2. solve real-world problems using linear equations;
3. write ratios in fraction form;
4. solve proportions;
5. solve problems using proportions;
6. solve problems using direct variation;
7. plot points in a rectangular coordinate system;
8. graph linear equations;
9. identify functions;
10. write functions in function notation;
11. evaluate functions; and
12. find the domain and range of functions.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 TIME FRAME: 6 hours

CHECK-UP TEST

Answer numbers 27 - 29 on page 303 (Sobecki, D. (2019). Math in Our

World. New York. NY: McGraw-Hill Education.)

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 LE S S ON PR O PE R

I. General Procedure for Solving Word Problems Using Equations

Step 1 Read the problem carefully.
Draw a diagram, jot down the key ideas.
Step 2 Assign a variable to an unknown quantity.
Most of the time, the variable should represent the quantity you’re being asked to find.
Step 3 Write an equation.
Keep an eye out for statements in the problem indicating two different ways to express
the same quantity
Step 4 Solve the equation.
Step 5 Make sure that you answer the question!
Step 6 Check to see if your solution makes sense.

Common Phrases That Represent Operations

Phrases that represent addition
6 more than a number 6+x
A number increased by 8 x+8
5 added to a number 5+x
The sum of a number and 17 x + 17

Phrases that represent subtraction

18 decreased by a number 18 − x
6.5 less than a number x − 6.5
3 subtracted from a number x−3
The difference between a number and 5 x−5

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Phrases that represent multiplication
8 times a number 8x
Twice a number 2x
A number multiplied by 4 4x
The product of a number and 19 19x
2 2
of a number x
3 3

Phrases that represent division

A number divided by 5 x÷5
35 divided by a number 35 ÷ x
The quotient of a number and 6 x÷6

Example: Translating Verbal Statements into Symbols

Translate each verbal statement into symbols.
(a) 14 times a number
(b) A number divided by 7
(c) 10 more than the product of 8 and a number
(d) 3 less than 4 times a number
(e) 6 times the sum of a number and 18
SOLUTION
(a) 14 times a number
Using variable x to represent the unspecified number, we can write this as 14x.
x
(b) A number divided by 7:
7
(c) 10 more than the product of 8 and a number: 10 + 8x
(d) 3 less than 4 times a number
It might help to reword this as 3 subtracted from 4 times a number: 4x – 3
(e) 6 times the sum of a number and 18
APPLICATIONS
Parentheses OF LINEAR
are required EQUATIONS
here because – Moduleis46 times the sum: 6(x + 18)
the multiplication
Example: Solving a Basic Translation Problem
If 8 times a number plus 3 is 27, find the number.
SOLUTION
Step 1 Write the relevant information:
8 times a number plus 3 is 27
Identify what we’re asked to find: that unknown number.
Step 2 Use variable x to represent the unknown number.
Step 3 Translate the relevant information into an equation:
8 times a number plus 3 is 27
8x + 3 = 27
Step 4 Solve the equation:
8x + 3 = 27 Subtract 3 from both sides.
8x + 3 - 3 = 27 - 3 Simplify.
8x = 24 Divide both sides by 8.
8x
Simplify.
8
x=3
Step 5 Answer the question: the requested number is 3.
Step 6 Check: 8 times 3 is 24, and when you add 3, you get 27. This matches the description of
the problem.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: A Problem Involving Contract Negotiations
Two basketball teams are interested in signing a free-agent player. An inside source informs the
general manager of one team that the other has made an offer, and the player’s agent said “Double
that and add an extra million per year, and you’re in our league.” According to a published report,
the player is seeking a contract of $18 million per year. What was the rival team’s offer?
SOLUTION
Step 1 Relevant information: Twice the offer plus 1 million is 18 million. We’re asked to find the
offer.
Step 2 Use the variable x to represent the offer. Since the numbers are in millions, we’ll let x stand
for the offer in million dollar units—that will keep the arithmetic simpler.
Step 3 Translate the relevant information into an equation:
Twice the offer plus one million is 18 million:
2x + 1 = 18
Step 4 Solve the equation:
2x + 1 = 18 Subtract 1 from both sides.
2x + 1 - 1 = 18 - 1 Simplify.
2x = 17 Divide both sides by 2.
17
x= or 8.5
2
Step 5 Answer the question: The team’s offer was $8.5 million.
Step 6 Check: Doubling $8.5 million gives $17 million, and adding 1 million more makes it $18
million as required.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: An Application to Home Improvement
Pat and Ron are planning to build a deck off the back of their house, and they buy some plans
from the Internet. The plans can be customized to the required deck height, which in this case will
be 92 inches. They call for support posts of two different heights. The taller ones are 8 inches
longer than the shorter ones, and the plans say that the sum of the lengths should be the height of
the deck. How long should the support posts be cut?
SOLUTION
Step 1 Relevant information: The posts are 8 inches different in length, and the lengths should
add to 92 inches.
Step 2 We’ll call the length of the shorter posts x. The other posts are 8 inches longer, so they
must be x + 8.
Step 3 Translate the relevant information into an equation:
Length of shorter post + length of longer post is 92
x + x+8 = 92

Step 4 Solve the equation:

x + x + 8 = 92
2x +8 = 92
2x = 84
x = 42
Step 5 Answer the question—this is where it becomes really important to consider the original
question. We were asked to find two lengths, so x = 42 doesn’t answer the question. We found
that the length of the shorter post is 42 inches, and the longer is 8 inches longer, so the answer is
50 inches.
Step 6 Check: The two lengths are definitely separated by 8 inches and 42 inches + 50 inches =
92 inches, as required.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: An Application Involving Money
After a busy Friday evening, the tip jar at an off-campus bar is stuffed full of quarters and dollar
bills. The tradition is that the bartenders split the dollars, while the barbacks split the quarters.
There’s $245 in the jar, with three times as many quarters as dollar bills (college students aren’t
known to be the best tippers in the universe). How much money goes to the bartenders, and how
much to the barbacks?
SOLUTION
Step 1 Relevant information: Three times as many quarters as dollar bills, and the total value is
$245.
Step 2 Use variable d to represent the number of dollar bills. Then 3d is the number of quarters
(because there are three times as many).
Step 3 Translate the relevant information into an equation: the value in dollars of the quarters is
the number of quarters (3d) times $0.25. The value of the dollar bills is the number of them (d).
Total value is $245.
0.25(3d) + d = 245
Step 4 Solve the equation:
0.25(3d) + d = 245 Multiply.
0.75d + d = 245 Combine like terms.
1.75d = 245 Divide both sides by 1.75.
d = 245/1.75 = 140
Step 5 Answer the question: there are 140 dollar bills, so the bartenders split $140. Three times as
many quarters is 420 quarters; multiply by $0.25 to get $105 to be split by the barbacks.
Step 6 Check: 420 quarters is three times as many as 140 dollar bills, and $140 + $105 = $245.
Sounds like a winner to me.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 II. Ratio, Proportion, and Variation
A ratio is a comparison of two quantities using division. For two nonzero numbers, a and

a
b, the ratio of a to b is written as a:b (read a to b) or . Ratios can be written using either a
b
colon or a fraction as shown in the definition, but in math we’ll typically use the fraction so that
we can do arithmetic with ratios.

Example: Writing Ratios

According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers’ Association, 95.1 million Americans participate in
recreational swimming, 56.2 million Americans participate in recreational biking, 52.6 million
Americans participate in bowling, and 44.5 million Americans participate in freshwater fishing. Find
each:
(a) The ratio of recreational swimmers to recreational bikers
(b) The ratio of people who fish to people who bowl.
SOLUTION
Number of swimmers 95.1
a) =
Number of bikers 56.2

We omitted millions from each number because they would divide out.
Number of people who fish 44.5
(b) =
Number of people who bowl 52.6

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Writing a Ratio Involving Units
Suppose that we want to compare the lengths of a 2-foot board, and one that is 18 inches long. First,
explain why the ratio below is deceiving. Then write a ratio that provides an accurate comparison.
2
18
SOLUTION
This is deceiving because 18 is 9 times as big as 2, so this looks like the 18-inch board is a lot longer.
Of course, it isn’t: 18 inches is less than 2 feet. To make the comparison accurate, we need to rewrite
so that both measurements have the same units. We could convert both to feet, or both to inches: either
is fine. But it’s easier to convert 2 feet to 24 inches, giving us the ratio
24 4
=
18 3
4
So the ratio of 2 feet to 18 inches is .
3

Proportions
A proportion is a statement of equality of two ratios. Two ratios form a proportion if the
cross products of their numerators and denominators are equal.

a c
= if ad = bc.
b d
For example, the ratios 4:7 and 8:14 are equal, and this fact can be expressed as a proportion:
4 8
=
7 14
The cross products are equal:
4 ∙ 14 = 7 ∙ 8
56 = 56

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 Example: Deciding if a Proportion Is True
Decide if each proportion is true or false.
3 9
(a) =
5 15
5 7
(b) =
3 2
14 7
(c) =
16 8
SOLUTION
In each case, we will cross multiply and see if the two products are equal.
(a) 3 ∙ 15 = 45; 5 ∙ 9 = 45 The proportion is true.
(b) 5 ∙ 2 = 10; 3 ∙ 7 = 21 The proportion is false.
(c) 14 ∙ 8 = 112; 16 ∙ 7 = 112 The proportion is true.

Example: Solving a Proportion

Example: Solving a Proportion
Solve the proportion for x.
12 3
=
x −5 x +2 48 x
=
10 20
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
We begin by cross multiplying.
x −5 x +2
12 = 3 Cross multiply.
10 = 20 Cross multiply.
48 x
20(x − 5) = 10(x + 2) Multiply out parentheses.
12x = 3 ⋅ 48
20x − 100 = 10x + 20 Subtract 10x from both sides.
12x = 144 Divide both sides by 12.
10x − 100 = 20 Add 100 to both sides.
12 x 144
= Simplify.
12120 12
10x = Divide both sides by 10.
x =x 12
= 12
Check:
Check:
x 12
− 5=3 x ; +
1 2 1 12 − 5 12 + 2
= ; 7 14 7 7
= = ; = ; =
1048 1220 4 4 10 20 10 20 10 10

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4
Example: Applying Proportion to
Fuel Consumption
While on a spring break trip, a group of friends burns 12 gallons of gas in the first 228 miles, then
stops to refuel. If they have 380 miles yet to drive, and the SUV has a 21-gallon tank, can they
make it without refueling again?
SOLUTION
Step 1 Identify the ratio statement. The ratio the problem gives us is 12 gallons of gas to drive
228 miles.
12 gallons
Step 2 Write the ratio as a fraction.
228 miles
Step 3 Set up the proportion. We need to find the number of gallons of gas needed to drive 380
miles, so we’ll call that x. The ratio we already have is gallons compared to miles, so the second
ratio in our proportion should be as well. We have x gallons, and 380 miles, so the proportion is
12 gallons x gallons
=
228 miles 380 miles
Step 4 Solve the proportion.
12 x
= Cross multiply.
228 380
228x = 12 ⋅ 380 Simplify.
228x = 4,560 Divide both sides by 228.
228 x 4,560
=
228 228

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Applying Proportions to Wildlife Population
As part of a research project, a biology class plans to estimate the number of fish living in a lake
thought to be polluted. They catch a sample of 35 fish, tag them, and release them back into the
lake. A week later, they catch 80 fish and find that 5 of them are tagged. About how many fish live
in the lake?
SOLUTION
Step 1 Identify the ratio statement. Five of 80 fish caught were tagged.
5 tagged
Step 2 Write the ratio as a fraction.
80 total
Step 3 Set up the proportion. We want to know the number of fish in the lake, so call that x. The
35 tagged
comparison in the lake overall is , so the proportion is
x total
5 tagged 35 tagged
=
80 total x total
Step 4 Solve the proportion.
5 35
=
80 x
5x = 35 ⋅ 80
5x = 2,800
x = 2,800/5 = 560
Step 5 Answer the question. There are about 560 fish in the lake.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 Direct Variation
A quantity y is said to vary directly with x if there is some nonzero constant k so that y =
kx. The constant k is called the constant of proportionality. Two quantities are often related in
such a way that if one goes up, the other does too, and if one goes down, the other goes down as
well. This would show direct variation.

Example: Using Direct Variation to Find Wages

Suppose you earn $95 per day. Write a variation equation that describes total pay in terms of days
worked, and use it to find your total pay if you work 6 days and if you work 15 days.
SOLUTION
Let y = the total amount earned
x = the number of days you work
k = $95 per day (as we saw above)
Then y = 95x is the variation equation.
For x = 6 days: y = 95 x 6 = $570.
For x = 15 days: y = 95 x 15 = $1,425.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Using Direct Variation to Find a Weight
When utility cables are strung above ground, the weight is an important consideration. The
weight of a certain type of cable varies directly with its length. If 20 feet of cable weighs 4
pounds, find k and determine the weight of 75 feet of cable.

SOLUTION
Step 1 Write the equation of variation.
y = kx where
y = the weight
x = length of cable in feet
k = the constant
Step 2 Find k.
y = kx Substitute y = 4 and x = 20
4 lb = k ⋅ 20 ft Divide both sides by 20 ft

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

III. The Rectangular Coordinate System and Linear Equations in Two Variables
Rectangular Coordinate System
The foundation of graphing in math is a system for locating data points using a pair of
perpendicular number lines. We call each one an axis. The horizontal line is called the x-axis,
and the vertical line is called the y-axis. The point where the two intersect is called the origin.

Collectively, they form what is known as a rectangular coordinate system, sometimes

called the Cartesian plane.

The two axes divide the plane into four regions called quadrants, which we number using
Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV.

The location of each point is given by a pair of numbers called the coordinates, and are written
as (x, y), where the first number describes a number on the x-axis and the second describes a
number on the y-axis. The coordinates of the origin are (0, 0).

A point P whose x coordinate is 2 and whose y coordinate is 5 is written as P = (2, 5). It is plotted
by starting at the origin and moving two units right and five units up. Negative coordinates

Example: APPLICATIONS
Plotting Points OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4
Plot the points (5, -3), (0, 4), (-3, -2), (-2, 0), and (2, 6).
correspond to negative numbers on the axes, so a point like (-5, -4) is plotted by starting at the
origin, moving five units left and four units down.

Identifying Coordinates
Given a point on the plane, its coordinates can be found by drawing a vertical line back to the x-
axis and a horizontal line back to the y-axis. For example, the coordinates of point C shown are (-
3, 4).

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Finding the Coordinates of Points
Find the coordinates of each point shown on the plane.

SOLUTION
A = (1, 8)
B = (-2, 12)
C = (-5, 0)
D = (0, 6)
E = (-4, -8)

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Identifying the Significance of the Signs of Coordinates
Earlier we saw that the two axes divide a coordinate plane into four quadrants. Fill in each blank.
If both coordinates of a point are positive, the point is in quadrant _____________.
If both coordinates are negative, the point is in quadrant _____________.
If the x coordinate is positive and the y coordinate is negative, the point is in quadrant
_____________.
If the y coordinate is positive and the x coordinate is negative, the point is in quadrant
_____________.
SOLUTION
Two positive coordinates puts a point in the upper right portion of the graph, which is quadrant I. Two
negative coordinates is the bottom left portion, which is quadrant III. If the x coordinate is positive, a
point is to the right of the origin; a y coordinate that’s negative means the point is below the y-axis. So
positive x and negative y is quadrant IV (lower right portion). A negative x coordinate (left of the
origin) and a positive y coordinate (above the y-axis) is the upper left portion, which is quadrant II.

Linear Equations in Two Variables

An equation of the form ax + by = c, where a, b, and c are real numbers, is called a linear
equation in two variables. Consider the equation y = 2x + 6. (This example can be rearranged to
look like −2x + y = 6, so it fits that definition with a = −2, b = 1, and c = 6.) If we choose a pair
of numbers to substitute into the equation for x and y, the resulting equation is either true or false.
For example, for x = 4 and y = 14, the equation is 14 = 2(4) + 6, which is a true statement. We
call the pair (4, 14) a solution to the equation, and say the pair of numbers satisfies the equation.

Here’s a list of some pairs that satisfy the equation y = 2x + 6.

(0, 6), (1, 8), (2, 10), (3, 12), (4, 14)

If we plot the points corresponding to these pairs, all of the points appear to line up in a straight
line pattern. If we connect the points plotted with a line, the result is called the graph of the
equation.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Graph of an Equation

The graph of an equation is a way to geometrically represent every pair of numbers that is
a solution to the equation. Each of those pairs corresponds to a point on the graph.

Intercepts

The point where a graph crosses the x-axis is called the x intercept. The point where a
graph crosses the y-axis is called the y intercept. Every point on the x-axis has y coordinate zero,
and every point on the y-axis has x coordinate zero, so we get the following rules.

Finding Intercepts:

To find the x intercept, substitute zero for y and solve the equation for x.

To find the y intercept, substitute zero for x and solve the equation for y.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Finding Intercepts
Find the intercepts of 2x - 3y = 6, and use them to draw the graph.

SOLUTION
To find the x intercept, let y = 0 and solve for x.
2x - 3y = 6
2x - 3(0) = 6
2x = 6
x=3
The x intercept has the coordinates (3, 0).
To find the y intercept, let x = 0 and solve for y.
2x - 3y = 6
2(0) - 3y = 6
-3y = 6
y = -2
The y intercept has the coordinates (0, -2).
Now we plot the points (3, 0) and (0, -2), and draw a straight line through them. (It would still
be a good idea to find one additional point to check your work. If the three points don’t line up,
there must be a mistake.)

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Slope
The slope of a line (designated by m) is

y 2−y 1 change in y coordinate

m=
x 2−x 1 change in x coordinate

where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are two points on the line.

The “slope” can be defined as the “rise” (vertical height) divided by the “run” (horizontal
distance) or as the change in y with respect to the change in x. When finding slope, it doesn’t
matter which of the two points you choose to call (x1, y1) and which you call (x2, y2). But the
order of the subtraction in the numerator and denominator has to be consistent.

If the line goes “uphill” from left to right, the slope will be positive.

If a line goes “downhill” from left to right, the slope will be negativ

The slope of a horizontal line is 0.

The slope of a vertical line is undefined.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 Example: Finding the Slope of a Line
Find the slope of a line passing through the points (2, 3) and (5,8).
SOLUTION
Designate the two points as follows

Example: Finding Slope Given the Equation of a Line

Find the slope of the line 5 x−3 y=15 .
SOLUTION
Find the coordinates of any two points on the line.
In this case, we choose the intercepts, which are (3, 0) and (0, −5). Then substitute into the slope
formula.
y 2−y 1 −5−0 −5 5
m = = = =
x 2−x 1 0−3 −3 3
5
The slope of the line is .
3

Slope-Intercept Form
The slope-intercept form for an equation in two variables is y = mx + b, where m is the
slope and (0, b) is the y intercept. Start with the equation 5x - 3y = 15 from Example 7 and solve
the equation for y:

5 x−3 y=15

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 −3 y=−5 x+ 15
5
y= x−5
3
Notice that the coefficient of x is 5/3, which is the same as the slope of the line.

Example: Using Slope-Intercept Form to Draw a Graph

5
Graph the line y= x−6 .
3
SOLUTION
The slope is 5/3 and the y intercept is (0, −6). Starting at the point (0, −6), we move vertically
upward 5 units for the rise, and move horizontally 3 units right for the run. That gives us the second
point (3, −1). Then draw a line through these points. To check, notice that (3, −1) satisfies the
equation.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Horizontal and Vertical Lines
Think about what the equation y = 3 says in words: that the y coordinate is always 3. This is a
line whose height is always 3, which is a horizontal line. Similarly, an equation like x = -6 is a
vertical line with every point having x coordinate -6.

IV. Functions
Relations
A relation is a rule matching up two sets of objects. Relations are often represented by sets
of ordered pairs.
The following are examples of relations:
A = {(Apple, AAPL), (Ford, F), (Google, GOOG), (Kraft Foods, KFT)}
B = {(9, 0), (-3, 1), (3, 9), (-1, 5), (3, 3)}
C = {(x, y) | 3x + 5y = 7}

Functions
A function is a set of ordered pairs in which no two ordered pairs have the same first
coordinate and different second coordinates.
Relation A is a function because no first coordinate is repeated.
Relation B isn't a function because the ordered pairs (3, 9) and (3, 3) have the same first
coordinate.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Identifying Functions Defined by Equations
Which of the following equations represent functions?
(a) {(5, 10), (-3, 10), (11, 10), (-10, 10), ( √ 3 , 10)}
(b) y = x2
(c) 3x2 + y - 2x = 5
(d) x = y

(a) Careful! Even though all ordered pairs have the same second coordinate, this is still a function.
It’s repeats in the FIRST coordinate that are bad.
(b) This is a function. Every number has only one square, so every value of x has only one associated
y.
(c) This is also a function. Every x will again have only one associated y.
(d) This is not a function. Positive values of x will correspond to two possible values of y. (i.e. if x =
2, y can be 2 or -2.)

Function Notation
The equation y = x2 represents a function that relates variables x and y. We call x the
independent variable and y the dependent variable because its value depends on the choice of
x. Another way to write the same function is f(x) = x2. This is known as function notation, and is
read aloud as “f of x equals x squared.”

The independent variable is sometimes called the input of a function, and the dependent
variable is called the output. Functions can also be called by names other than f. Letters like f, g,
h, and k are commonly used to represent functions, but a letter that is more representative can be
used.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Example: Writing a Function in Function Notation
We need to solve the equation for y, then replace y with f(x).
3 x−2 y =6 Subtract 3x from both sides
−2 y=−3 x+ 6 Divide both sides by -2
3
y= x−3 Replace y with f(x)
2
3
f ( x )= x−3
2

Evaluating a Function
When a function is written as f(x), f(2) means to find the value of the function when x = 2
This is known as evaluating a function.

Example: Evaluating a Function

Let f ( x )=x 2+3x−5 and g ( x )=4+ √ x+1 .
Find f(3), f(-2), g(0), and g(-3).
SOLUTION
f (3)=(3) 2+3(3)−5=9+ 9−5=13
f (-2)=(-2) 2+3(-2)−5=4−6−5=−7
g (0)=4+ √ 0+1=4 + √1=4 +1=5
g (-3)=4+ √ (-3)+1=4 + √ -2
Since √ -2 isn’t a real number, we say that g(−3) is undefined.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 Domain and Range
The domain of a function is the set of all values of the independent variable x that result in
real number values for y. The range of a function is the set of all possible y values.

Example: Finding the Domain and Range of a Function

Find the domain and range of each function:
(a) f ( x )=x 2
(b) f ( x )=√ x
3x - 2
(c) f ( x )=
x +1
SOLUTION
(a) There are no restrictions on what values x can be; therefore the domain is all real numbers. Since
x2 is never negative, the range is {yy ≥ 0}.
(b) Since the square root of a negative number is undefined, x cannot be negative. Therefore, the
domain is {xx ≥ 0}. Since the square root of x is never negative the range is {yy ≥ 0}.

(c) Since the denominator of a fraction cannot be zero, we must exclude x = – 1. Every other x
value will result in a real number output, so the domain is all real numbers except – 1, which we
write as {xx ≠ – 1}.
The range is not obvious, but notice that an output of 3 would make the equation
3x - 2
3= . Multiplying both sides by x + 1, we get the contradiction 3x + 3 = 3x – 2, so the
x +1
range is {yy ≠ 3}.

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

Exercises:
1. The number of tickets purchased for a prize varies directly with the amount of the prize. For a
prize of $1,000, 250 tickets are purchased. Find the approximate number of tickets that will be
purchased on a prize worth $5,000.
2. The strength of a particular beam varies inversely with the square of its length. If a 10-foot beam
can support 500 pounds, how many pounds can a 12-foot beam support?
3. The intensity of sound varies inversely as the square of the distance from the source. A sound
with an intensity of 300 watts/m^2 is heard from 20 feet away from a speaker. What is the
intensity of the sound 50 feet away from the same speaker?

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4

 ASSIGNMENT
Answer numbers 7 - 11 on page 303 (Sobecki, D. (2019). Math in Our World. New York. NY:
McGraw-Hill Education.)

References

Nocon, R. (2018). Essential Mathematics for the Modern World. Quezon City: C & E Publishing,
Inc.

Sirug, W. (2014). Business Mathematics, rev. ed. Manila: Mindshapers Co.

Sobecki, D. (2019). Math in Our World. New York. NY: McGraw-Hill Education.

End of Module 4

APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS – Module 4