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Solving Linear Equations
Solving Linear Equations
Goal: The goal of solving a linear equation is to find the value of the variable that will make the
statement (equation) true.
Method: Perform operations to both sides of the equation in order to isolate the variable.
Examples:
A. x + 5 = —2 Check:
—5 —5 (—7) + 5 = —2
x = —7
—2 = —2 (Solution Checks)
B. x — 3 = 7 Check:
+3 +3 10 — 3 = 7
x = 10 7 = 7 (Solution Checks)
C. 3x = 24 Check:
3x 24
= 3(8) = 24
3 3 24 = 24 (Solution Checks)
x=8
D. —7x = 28 Check:
—7x 28 —7(—4) = 28
—7 = —7 28 = 28 (Solution Checks)
x = —4
E. 2 x = —4 Check:
3
2 —6
· 2 x = –4 · 3 (Multiply by the reciprocal) ( ) = —4
3
2 3 1 2 3 1
x = —6 —4 = —4 (Solution Checks)
y
F. =2 Check:
–5 —10
—5 y = 2(—5)
· =2
1 —5 —5
y = —10 2 = 2 (Solution Checks)
Identity Example: Contradiction Example:
G. 2x + 6 = 3(x + 2) — H. 5x — 3 = 4(x + 2) +
x 2x + 6 = 3x + 6 — x 5x — 3 = 4x + 8 +
x x
2x + 6 = 2x + 6 5x — 3 = 5x + 8
—2x — 2x —5x — 5x
6 = 6 True Statement —3 = 8 False Statement
Solution: all real numbers No Solution
I. 10 — 5x = 3(x — 4) — 2(x + 7)
10 — 5x = 3x — 12 — 2x — 14 Check:
10 — 5x = x — 26 10 — 5(6) = 3(6 — 4) — 2(6 + 7)
—x — x 10 — 30 = 3(2) — 2(13)
10 — 6x = —26 —20 = 6 — 26
—10 — 10 —20 = —20 (Solution Checks)
—6x = —36
–6x –36
= –6
–6
x=6
x–2 x–4
J. 5 — 2 = 2 (LCD is 10) K. 0.05x + 0.25 = 0.2
x—2 x—4 100(0.05x + 0.25) = 0.2(100)
10 ( — )= 5x + 25 = 20
2(10)
10 5 2
1 · (x — 2) 10 (x — 4) —25 — 25
— 1 · 2 = 20 5x –5
5 5 = 5
2(x — 2) — 5(x — 4) = 20
2x — 4 — 5x + 20 = 20 x = —1
—3x + 16 = 20 Check:
—16 — 16 0.05(—1) + 0.25 = 0.2
–3x 4
=
0.2 = 0.2 (Solution Checks)
—0.05 + 0.25 = 0.2
–3 –3
x=—4
3
LINEAR EQUATIONS PRACTICE
2 3 w
1. 4x = 4 37. + = 68. —9 x = —45
2. x+6=— 8 4 5 5
7 3 4
4 8 7 9
12. 4(6 + 2x) = 0 x 3x 1 78. x —x = 6
3 9
13. 3x + 2x + 6 = — 46. — =
15 3 4 12 x x
5
14. 4 = —2(x + 3) 79. — =1
47. — x = 3x 8 9
2
5
15. 27 = 46 + 2x — x 2–4y 80. y—4=6
48. 3–5y 9
4 = 3