1.1.

1 Linear Equations in One Variable

Summary

• An equation is a mathematical statement that indicates that two algebraic expressions are equal.

Examples: x − 2 = 8, |x + 5| = 9, y 2 = 25, etc...

• A linear equation is an equation that can be written in the form

ax + b = 0, a 6= 0

where a and b are constants and x is a variable.

• A solution (or root) to a linear equation is any value of the variable x that makes the equation a true
statement.
• Properties of Equations

1) You may add or subtract the same number from both sides of an equation.

If a = b, then a + c = b + c and a − c = b − c

2) You may multiply or divide both sides of an equation by the same number as long as this number is not
equal to zero.
a b
If a = b and c 6= 0 then ac = bc and =
c c
• Notes:
7
a) The equation 7 = 5x is equivalent to the equation 5x = 7 (switch the sides) with solution x = .
5
b) It is advisable to check the solution in each problem by substituting your answer into the given equation.
c) In all examples that follow, the step-by-step clarification strategy will fully be employed.

Example(1)

Solve for x: 2 = 1 − x.

Solution:
2=1−x Given.
2+x=1 Add x to each side.
x = −1 Subtract 2 from each side.

Check the answer: Substitute x = −1, into the given equation 2 = 1 − x, this yields.
2=1 − x
?
2 = 1 − (−1)
?
2=1+1
2=2

1/19
Example(2)

Solve for x: 4x − 2 = 7x + 5

Solution:

4x − 2 = 7x + 5 Given.
−2 − 3x = 5 Subtract 7x from each side.
−3x = 7 Add 2 to each side.
7
x=− Divide each side by −3.
3
1
x = −2
3

Check the answer as in Example(1) above.

Example(3)

Solve for n: 3(n − 1) + n = 2(5 − n)

Solution:

3(n − 1) + n = 2(5 − n) Given.

3n − 3 + n = 10 − 2n Apply distributive property.
4n − 3 = 10 − 2n Combine like terms in LHS (Left Hand Side).
6n − 3 = 10 Add 2n to each side.
6n = 13 Add 3 to each side.
13
n= Divide each side by 6.
6
1
n=2
6
Check the answer as an exercise.

2/19
Example(4)

Solve for y: y + 8 − 2(y + 1) = 3y − 6

Solution:

Apply distributive property:

y + 8 − 2(y + 1) = 3y − 6 Given.
y + 8 − 2y − 2 = 3y − 6 Apply distributive property.
−y + 6 = 3y − 6 Combine like terms in LHS.
−4y + 6 = −6 Subtract 3y from each side.
−4y = −12 Subtract 6 from each side.
y=3 Divide each side by −4.

Check the answer: Substitute y = 3 into the given equation.

y + 8 − 2(y + 1)=3y − 6
?
3 + 8 − 2(3 + 1) = 3(3) − 6
?
11 − 2(4) = 9 − 6
3=3

Example(5)

Solve for p: 2(3p + 4) + 6p − 7 = 4(5p − 2) + 1

Solution:

2(3p + 4) + 6p − 7 = 4(5p − 2) + 1 Given.

6p + 8 + 6p − 7 = 20p − 8 + 1 Apply distributive property.
12p + 1 = 20p − 7 Combine like terms in LHS.
−8p + 1 = −7 Subtract 20p from each side.
−8p = −8 Subtract 1 from each side.
p=1 Divide each side by −8.

Check the answer as an exercise.

3/19
Example(6)

x x
Solve for x: − =1
2 5

Solution:

x x
− =1 Given.
2 5
5x − 2x = 10 Multiply each term by 10 (LCD: lowest common denominator) and simplify.
3x = 10 Combine like terms in LHS.
10
x= Divide each side by 3.
3
1
x=3
3
Check the answer as an exercise.

Example(7)

x 2 3x 1
Solve for x: − = −
10 15 20 5

Solution:
x 2 3x 1
− = − Given.
  10 15
 20 5
x 2 3x 1
60 − 60 = 60 − 60 Multiply each term by 60 (LCD: lowest common denominator).
10 15 20 5
6x − 8 = 9x − 12 Simplify.
−8 − 3x = −12 Subtract 9x from each side.
−3x = −4 Add 8 to each side.
−4
x= Divide each side by −3.
−3
1
x=1
3

Check the answer as an exercise.

4/19
Example(8)

t t
Solve for t: + =1
6 2

Solution:
t t
+ =1 Given.
  6
  2
t t
6 +6 = 6(1) Multiply each term by 6 (LCD: lowest common denominator).
6 2
t + 3t = 6 Simplify.
4t = 6 Combine like terms in LHS.
6 3
t= = Divide each side by 4.
4 2
1
t=1
2

3
Check the answer: Substitute t = into the given equation.
2

t t
+ =1
6 2
3 3
2 + 2 = ?
1
6 2
3 3 ?
+ =1
12 4
1 3 ?
+ =1
4 4
4 ?
=1
4
1=1

Example(9)

Solve for x: 2 − 0.03x = 0.04 + 0.01x

Solution:

2 − 0.03x = 0.04 + 0.01x Given.

200 − 3x = 4 + x Multiply each term by 100.
200 − 4x = 4 Subtract x from each side.
−4x = −160 Subtract 200 from each side.
x = 40 Divide each side by −4.

Check the answer as an exercise.

5/19
Example(10)

Solve for k: 0.04k − 0.06(k − 8) = 0.1k

Solution:

0.04k − 0.06(k − 8) = 0.1k Given.

4k − 6(k − 8) = 10k Multiply each term by 100.
4k − 6k + 48 = 10k Clear parentheses on the left.
−2k + 48 = 10k Combine like terms in LHS.
−12k + 48 = 0 Subtract 10k from each side.
−12k = −48 Subtract 48 from each side.
k=4 Divide each side by −12.

Check your answer as an exercise

6/19
Exercises (1.1.1)

1. Solve each of the equations given below.

a. 3x + 8 = 20

b. 2a − 1 = 4 (a + 1) + 7a + 5

c. 3 (k − 2) − 6 = 4k − (3k − 1)

d. −2 [4 (k + 2) − 3 (k + 1)] = 14 + 2k

x 3x x
e. − =2−
5 4 8

f. 250 − 0.3(x + 100) = 0.5(600 − x) − 40

g. 7(p − 6) − 6(p + 3) = 5(p − 6) − 2(3 + 2p)

5y 2y
h. −8=5−
6 3
x+3 5 1
i. + =
2 3 2
x−3 2x + 4
j. =
2 5
t t−2 3
k. − =
2 3 2
t+1 t−1
l. − =t+5
4 6

m. 0.6k − 0.3 = 0.5k + 0.4

n. 1 − 0.4(x − 4) + 0.6(x − 7) = −0.6

p+7 p−2 7 p
o. − = −
3 5 3 15

p. 0.03y + 0.02(5000 − y) = 140

q. 2(t + 3) = 5(t − 1) − 7(t − 3)

z 5z 1
r. − =
3 4 10

s. 0.03(x + 200) = 45

t. 50 − 0.05(x − 100) = 20

x 2x
u. + =6
5 5
x+5 x−1
v. =
3 2

7/19
 1.1.2 Literal Equations (Formulae)

Summary

• Literal equations (Formulas) are ones in which letters are used as coefficients rather than particular numbers;
they are used in many applications such as distance, area, volume and so on.

• The procedure for solving for a specified variable are essentially the same as that of solving for linear
equations; the other variables are simply treated as constants.

• In all examples that follow, the step-by-step clarification strategy will fully be used.

Example(1)

Solve for y: x + y = 20.

Solution:

x + y = 20 Given.
y = 20 − x Subtract x from each side.

Check the answer: Substitute y = 20 − x, into the equation.

x + y = 20
?
x + (20 − x) = 20
?
x + 20 − x = 20
20 = 20

Example(2)

If for all x and y, 2x − b − y = 0, then b =?

Solution:

2x − b − y = 0 Given.
2x − y = b Add b to each side.
b = 2x − y Switch side.

8/19
Example(3)

9
Solve for C: F = C + 23
5

Solution:
9
F = C + 23 Given.
5
5F = 9C + 115 Multiply each side by 5.
5F − 115 = 9C Subtract 115 from each side.
5F 115
− =C Divide each term by 9.
9 9
5F − 115
C= Switch the sides.
9

Check the answer as an exercise.

Example(4)

Solve for r: S = 2πrh

Solution:

S = 2πrh Given.
S
=r Divide each side by 2πh.
2πh
S
r= Switch the sides.
2πh

Example(5)

1
Solve for B: A = h(B + C)
2

Solution:
1
A= h(B + C) Given.
2
2A = h(B + C) Multiply each side by 2.
2A = hB + hC Use distributive property in the right hand side of the equation.
2A − hC = hB Subtract hC from each side.
2A
−C =B Divide each term by h.
h
2A
B= −C Switch the sides.
h

Check the answer as an exercise.

9/19
Example(6)

x
Solve for x: +8=y
2

Solution:
x
+8=y Given.
2
x
=y−8 Subtract 8 from each side.
2
x = 2y − 16 Multiply each term by 2.

Check the answer as an exercise.

Example(7)

Given the formula P = 2l + 2w, where P is the perimeter, l is the length and w is the width of a triangle, find w.

Solution:

P = 2l + 2w Given.
P − 2l = 2w Subtract 2l from each side.
P
−l =w Divide each term by 2.
2
P − 2l
w= Switch the sides.
2

Check the answer as an exercise.

Example(8)

2y + 3
Solve for y: Z =
y−1

Solution:
2y + 3
Z= Given.
y−1
Z(y − 1) = 2y + 3 Cross-multiply.
Zy − Z = 2y + 3 Use distributive property in LHS.
Zy − Z − 2y = 3 Subtract 2y from each side.
Zy − 2y = 3 + Z Add Z to each side.
y(Z − 2) = 3 + Z Factor out the y in LHS.
3+Z
y= Divide each side by Z − 2.
Z −2

Check the answer as an exercise.

10/19
Example(9)

Solve for P : A = P + P rt

Solution:

A = P + P rt Given.
A = P (1 + rt) Factor out P .
A
=P Divide each side by (1 + rt).
1 + rt
A
P = Switch the sides.
1 + rt

Example(10)

1 1 1
Solve for f : + =
p q f

Solution:
1 1 1
+ = Given.
p q f
qf + pf = pq Multiply each side by pqf (LCD: the lowest common denominator).
f (q + p) = pq Factor out f in LHS.
pq
f= Divide each side by (q + p).
q+p

Check your answer as an exercise

Example(11)

Solve for y: S = 2xy + 2xZ + 2yZ

Solution:

S = 2xy + 2xZ + 2yZ Given.

S − 2xZ = 2xy + 2yZ Subtract 2xZ from each side.
S − 2xZ = y(2x + 2Z) Factor out y in RHS (Right Hand Side).
S − 2xZ
=y Divide each side by (2x + 2Z).
2x + 2Z
S − 2xZ
y= Switch the sides.
2x + 2Z

Check your answer as an exercise

11/19
Exercises (1.1.2)

1. Solve for the indicated letter.

x
a. a + b = , for x.
3

b. 2cx = −8cd, for d.

c. x + 10C = C + 8, for C.

1
d. V = Bh, for B.
3
x
e. − 2y = 3Z, for x.
2

f. ax − by = cz, for y.

x a b
g. − = , for a.
6 3 z
y y
h. = + C, for y.
3 4
y
i. + 3m = 4m, for y.
m
1 1 1
j. + = , for q.
p q f

k. 2k − 4l = 3k + 2l, for k.

l. 2cx + 4d = 3ax − 4b, for x.

2x + 1
m. y = , for x.
x−3

n. (l − 1)(m + n) = 3, for l.

3pq
o. = 2, for p.
q − 2p

p. 2(x − P ) = 3(6P − x), for x.

q. 2by − 2a = ay − 4b, for y.

2x − a 2x − b
r. = , for x.
b a
1 1 1
s. + = , for y.
ay by c
√
t. x = z − 2y, for y.

1
u. L2 I − = RI, for I.
C
1 1 1
v. + = , for p.
p q f

12/19
1.1.3 LINEAR INEQUALITIES IN ONE VARIABLE

Summary

• An inequality is a statement that indicates that two algebraic expressions are not equal in a specific way,
one expression being greater than or less than the other.

Symbol Meaning English Phrase Mathematical Inequality

< is less than a is less than b a<b

> is more than a is more than b a>b

a is less than or equal to b

≤ is less than or equal to a is no more than b a≤b
a is at most b
a is greater than or equal to b
≥ is greater than or equal to a is no less than b a≥b
a is at least b

• A linear inequality in one variable x, can be written in one of the following forms:
ax + b < 0, ax + b ≤ 0, ax + b > 0 , ax + b ≥ 0, where a,b are real numbers and a 6= 0.

– A solution for a linear inequality in one variable is any number that will make the inequality a true
statement when the variable is replaced by that number.
– The solution set consists of all the values that are solutions to the inequality.
– The graph of the inequality is the set of all points on the real number line that represent the solution
set.
– Solving linear inequalities, for the most parts, is exactly like solving linear equations.

• When solving linear inequalities, we may use some or all of the following:
– Add or subtract any number or algebraic expression to both sides of a linear inequality. This is known
as the addition/subtraction property of an inequality.
– Multiply or divide by any number c 6= 0, to both sides of a linear inequality. If c is negative, we reverse
the inequality sign. This is known as the multiplication/division property of an inequality.

• Examples of Inequalities
– An inequality with two sides: x − 6 ≤ 12

– An inequality with three parts: 6 ≤ 2x + 9 < 11, which is also known as a compound inequality.

13/19
Inequality Interval Notation Graph

a<x<b (a, b)
a b

a≤x<b [a, b)
a b

a<x≤b (a, b]
a b

a≤x≤b [a, b]
a b

x>a (a, ∞)
a

x≥a [a, ∞)
a

x<a (−∞, a) a

x≤a (−∞, a] a

−∞ < x < ∞ (−∞, ∞)

14/19
Example(1)

Solve the linear inequality x + 6 ≤ 11. Write the solution set in interval notation and graph it.

Solution:

x + 6 ≤ 11

x + 6−6 ≤ 11−6 Subtract 6 from both sides.

x≤5 Simplify.

The solution set is {x|x ≤ 5}.

Interval notation: (−∞, 5]

Graph:
−1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Example(2)

Solve the linear inequality 5x + 9 > 6x + 11. Write the solution set in interval notation and graph it.

Solution:

5x + 9 > 6x + 11

5x + 9 − 9 > 6x + 11 − 9 Subtract 9 from both sides.

5x > 6x + 2

5x − 6x > 6x − 6x + 2 Subtract 6x from both sides .

−x > 2

x < −2 Divide both side by −1 and reverse the inequality sign.

The solution set is {x|x < −2}.

Interval notation: (−∞, −2)

Graph:
−4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

15/19
Example(3)

Solve the linear inequality 4w ≥ −16. Write the solution set in interval notation and graph it.

Solution:

4w ≥ −16
4w −16
≥ Divide both sides by 4.
4 4
w ≥ −4

The solution set is {w|w ≥ −4}.

Interval notation: [−4, ∞)

Graph:
−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

Example(4)

Solve the linear inequality 3(2 − y) + 2 < −2(y − 4) − y. Write the solution set in interval notation and graph it.

Solution:

3(2 − y) + 2 < 2(y − 4) − y

6 − 3y + 2 < 2y − 8 − y Clear parentheses from both sides.

8 − 3y < y − 8 Combine like terms.

8 − 8 − 3y < y − 8 − 8 Subtract 8 from both sides.

−3y < y − 16 Simplify.

−3y − y < y − y − 16 Subtract y from both sides.

−4y < −16

−4y −16
> Divide both sides by −4 and reverse the inequality sign.
−4 −4

y>4

The solution set is {y|y > 4}.

Interval notation: (4, ∞)

Graph:
−2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

16/19
Example(5)

Solve the linear inequality −1 < 2x + 3 ≤ 5. Write the solution set in interval notation and graph it.

Solution:

−1 < 2x + 3 ≤ 5

−1 − 3 < 2x + 3 − 3 ≤ 5 − 3 Subtract 3 from all three parts of the inequality.

−4 < 2x ≤ 2

−4 2x 2
< ≤ Divide by 2.
2 2 2

−2 < x ≤ 1

The solution set is {x| − 2 < x ≤ 1}.

Interval notation: (−2, 1]

Graph:
−5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Example(6)

Solve the linear inequality 5x − 2(x − 4) ≥ 3(x − 2) − 7x. Write the solution set in inequality notation and graph it.

Solution:

5x − 2(x − 4) ≥ 3(x − 2) − 7x

5x − 2x + 8 ≥ 3x − 6 − 7x Clear all parentheses.

3x + 8 ≥ −4x − 6 Combine like terms.

3x + 8 − 8 ≥ −4x − 6 − 8 Subtract 8 from both sides.

3x ≥ −4x − 14 Simplify.

3x + 4x ≥ −4x + 4x − 14 Add 4x to both sides.

7x ≥ −14

7x −14
≥ Divide both sides by 7.
7 7

x ≥ −2

The solution set is {x|x ≥ −2}.

Graph:
−6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4

17/19
Example(7)

1 1 3
Solve the linear inequality − ≤ x − (x + 1). Write the solution set in inequality notation and graph it.
2 3 2

Solution:
1 1 3
− ≤ x − (x + 1)
2 3 2
     
1 1 3
6 − ≤6 x−6 (x + 1) Multiply both sides by 6 and simplify.
2 3 2

−3 ≤ 2x − 9(x + 1)

−3 ≤ 2x − 9x − 9 Clear parentheses.

−3 ≤ −7x − 9 Combine like terms.

−3 + 9 ≤ −7x − 9 + 9 Add 9 to both sides.

6 ≤ −7x Simplify.

6 −7x
≥ Divide both sides by −7 and reverse the inequality sign.
−7 −7
6
− ≥x
7

6
or x ≤ −
7
 
6
The solution set is x|x ≤ − .
7
Graph:
−4 −3 −2 6 0 1 2 3 4
−
7

18/19
Exercises (1.1.3)

1. Solve the following inequalities. Express the solution set in interval notation and graph it.
a. 7x − 8 ≥ 5x

b. −2x − 12 > 0

1 1
c. p− p>p−2
2 5

d. 5(y + 4) + 2y < 2(3y − 2) + 8

e. 3x − 2(5 − 2x) + 7 < 0

f. 0 ≤ −2 − x < 4

g. 4 ≤ x + 2 ≤ 7

h. 1 < 2x − 3 ≤ 5

−3 x 2
i. < +1≤
2 3 3

j. −10 ≤ 4t − 2 < 6

k. 7 > 3x − 8 > 1

l. −1 < 5 − 3x ≤ 14

m. −5 < 5 − 4(x + 1) < −2

w 3w
n. −3≤2+
4 8

19/19