TECHNIQUES IN SOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS SOLUTIONS

Method 1 Method 2

1 Expanding the LHS expression first: Dividing both sides by 7 first:

7( h + 3) = 35 7( h + 3) = 35
7 h + 21 = 35 h+3 = 5
7h = 14 h = 2
h = 2

2 Expanding the LHS expression first: Dividing both sides by 4 first:

4( k − 12) = 5 4( k − 12) = 5
4 k − 48 = 5 k − 12 = 1 1
4 k = 53 4

k = 13 1 k = 13 1
4 4

3 Expanding the LHS expression first: Dividing both sides by 5 first:

5( y + 8) = 15 5( y + 8) = 15
5 y + 40 = 15 y +8 = 3
5y = − 25 y = −5
y = −5

Both methods give the correct answer. In these examples, method 2 has one less step. However, if the
number outside the brackets does not divide exactly into both sides, then you will need to deal with a
fraction before the final step in method 2.