Linear Equations in One Variable

Objectives

• Distinguish between expressions and equations.

• Solve linear equations and Identify conditional equations,

contradictions and identities.

• Solve a formula for a specified variable.

• Solve investment problems.

• Solve mixture problems.

• Solve linear inequalities

Objective 1

Distinguish between expressions

and equations.

Slide 2.1- 2
 Distinguish between expressions and equations.

Equations and inequalities compare algebraic expressions.

An equation is a statement that two algebraic expressions are

equal.

An equation always contains an equals symbol, while an

expression does not.

3x – 7 = 2 3x – 7

Left Right
side side
Expression
Equation
(to simplify or evaluate)
(to solve)

Slide 2.1- 3
 CLASSROOM
Distinguishing between Expressions and Equations
EXAMPLE 1

Decide whether each of the following is an equation or an

expression.

Solution:

equation
9x + 10 = 0

expression
9x + 10

Slide 2.1- 4
Objective 6

Identify conditional equations,

contradictions, and identities.

Slide 2.1- 5
 Identify conditional equations, contradictions, and
identities.

Type of Number of Indication when Solving

Linear Solutions
Equation
Conditional One Final line is x = a number.
Identity Infinite; Final line is true, such as 0 = 0.
solution set
{all real
numbers}
Contradiction None; solution Final line is false, such as
set  –15 = –20 .

Slide 2.1- 6
 CLASSROOM
Recognizing Conditional Equations, Identities, and Contradictions
EXAMPLE 6
Solve each equation. Decide whether it is a conditional equation, an
identity, or a contradiction.

5(x + 2) – 2(x + 1) = 3x + 1
Solution:
5x + 10 – 2x – 2 = 3x + 1
3x + 8 = 3x + 1
3x – 3x + 8 = 3x – 3x + 1
8=1 False

The result is false, the equation has no solution. The equation is a

contradiction. The solution set is .

Slide 2.1- 7
 CLASSROOM
Recognizing Conditional Equations, Identities, and Contradictions (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 6

x  1 2x 1
  x
3 3 3
Solution:

 x 1   2x   1
3   3   3 x  
 3   3   3

x  1  2 x  3x  1

3x  1  3x  1
This is an identity. Any real number will make the equation true. The
solution set is {all real numbers}.

Slide 2.1- 8
 CLASSROOM Recognizing Conditional Equations, Identities, and Contradictions (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 6
5(3x + 1) = x + 5
Solution:
15x + 5 = x + 5
15x – x + 5 = x – x
14x + 5 = 5
14x + 5 – 5 = 5 – 5
14x = 0
x=0

This is a conditional equation. The solution set is {0}.

Slide 2.1- 9
Objective 1

Solve a formula for a specified

variable.

Slide 2.2- 10
CLASSROOM Solving for a Specified Variable
EXAMPLE 1
Solve the formula d = rt for r.
Solution:

Solve the formula by isolating the r on one side of the equals

sign.
d rt
 Divide by 2.
t t

d
r
t

Slide 2.2- 11
CLASSROOM Solving for a Specified Variable
EXAMPLE 2
Solve the formula for L.

P = 2L + 2W
Solution:

P  2W  2 L  2W  2W Subtract 2W from both sides.

P  2W  2 L Combine like terms.

P  2W 2L Divide both sides by 2 to

 isolate L.
2 2

P  2W
L
2

Slide 2.2- 12
 CLASSROOM
Solving a Formula Involving Parentheses
EXAMPLE 3
Solve the equation for x.

1
y   x  3
2
Solution:

x 3 Use distributive property on the

y  right side to eliminate the
2 2 parentheses.

2y  x  3 Multiply both sides by 2 to

eliminate fractions.

2y 3  x or x  2y  3 Subtract 3 from both sides.

Slide 2.2- 13
Objective 6

Solve investment problems.

Slide 2.3- 14
 CLASSROOM
Solving an Investment Problem
EXAMPLE 6
A man has $34,000 to invest. He invests some of the money at 5% and the
balance at 4%. His total annual interest income is $1545. Find the amount
invested at each rate.
Solution:

Step 1 Read the problem. What is to be found?

We must find the two amounts; the amount invested at 5% and
the amount invested at 4%.

What information is given?

The total to invest and the interest earned.

Step 2 Assign a variable.

Let x = the amount to invest at 5%
34,000 – x = the amount to invest at 4%
Slide 2.3- 15
CLASSROOM
Solving an Investment Problem (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 6
Step 2 Assign a variable. Use a table to organize the given
information.

Principal Rate (as a decimal) Interest

x 0.05 0.05x
34,000 – x 0.04 0.04(34,000 – x)
34,000 XXXXXXXXX 1545

Step 3 Write an equation.

The formula for simple interest is I = prt.
Here the time is 1 yr.

interest at 5% + interest at 4% = total interest

0.05x + 0.04(34,000 – x) = 1545

Slide 2.3- 16
 CLASSROOM
Solving an Investment Problem (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 6
Step 4 Solve the equation.

0.05x + 0.04(34,000 – x) = 1545

0.05x + 1360 – 0.04x = 1545
0.01x + 1360 = 1545
0.01x = 185
x = 18,500
Step 5 State the answer.
$18,500 was invested at 5%; 15,500 at 4%.

Step 6 Check by finding the annual interest at each rate.

0.05(18,500) = $925 0.04(15,500) = $620

$925 + $620 = $1545

Slide 2.3- 17
Objective 7

Solve mixture problems.

Slide 2.3- 18
 CLASSROOM
Solving a Mixture Problem
EXAMPLE 7
How many pounds of candy worth $8 per lb should be mixed with 100 lb
of candy worth $4 per lb to get a mixture that can be sold for $7 per lb?
Solution:

Step 1 Read the problem. What is to be found?

How much candy worth $8 per lb is to be used.
What is given?
The amount used at $4 per lb and the selling price per pound.
Step 2 Assign a variable.
Let x = the amount of $8 per lb candy.
Number of Pounds of Candy
$ Amount
pounds worth $7
100 $4 100(4) = 400
x $8 8x
100 + x $7 7(100 + x)
Slide 2.3- 19
CLASSROOM
Solving a Mixture Problem (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 7
Step 3 Write an equation.
400 + 8x = 7(100 + x)

Step 4 Solve.
Subtract 400
400 + 8x = 700 + 7x and 7x.
x = 300

Step 5 State the answer.

300 ibs of candy worth $8 per pound should be used.

Step 6 Check.
300 lb worth $8 + 100 lb worth $4 = $7(100 + 300)
$2400 + $400 = $7(400)
$2800 = $2800 Slide 2.3- 20
 Solving a Mixture Problem When One Ingredient is Pure
CLASSROOM
EXAMPLE 8
How much water must be added to 20 L of 50% antifreeze solution
to reduce it to 40% antifreeze?

Solution:
Step 1 Read the problem. What is to be found?
What amount of pure water is to be added.
What is given?
The amount of antifreeze and its purity percentage.
Step 2 Assign a variable. Use a table.
Let x = the number of liters of pure water.

Number of Percent (as a Liters of Pure

liters decimal) Antifreeze
x 0 0
20 0.5 20(0.5)
x + 20 0.4 0.4(x + 20)
Slide 2.3- 21
CLASSROOM Solving a Mixture Problem When One Ingredient is Pure (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 8
Step 3 Write an equation.
0 + 20(0.5) = 0.4(x + 20)

Step 4 Solve.
10 = 0.4x + 8
2 = 0.4x
x=5

Step 5 State the answer.

5 L of water are needed.

Step 6 Check.
20(0.5) = 0.4(5 + 20)
10 = 0.4(25)
10 = 10

Slide 2.3- 22
 Objective 7

Solve linear inequalities in one

variable.

Slide 2.3- 23
Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Notice that a
parenthesis is
always used next
to an infinity
symbol,
regardless
whether it is
negative or
positive.

Slide 2.5- 24
Linear Inequalities in One Variable
An inequality says that two expressions are not equal. Solving
inequalities is similar to solving equations.

Linear Inequality in One Variable

A linear inequality in one variable can be written in the form

Ax + B < C, Ax + B ≤ C, Ax + B > C, or Ax + B ≥ C,

where A, B, and C are real numbers, with A  0.

Slide 2.5- 25
 Solve linear inequalities by using the addition property.

We solve an inequality by finding all numbers that make the inequality true.
Usually, an inequality has an infinite number of solutions. These solutions are
found by producing a series of simpler related inequalities. Equivalent
inequalities are inequalities with the same solution set.

Addition Property of Inequality

For all real numbers A, B, and C, the inequalities

A<B and A+C<B+C

are equivalent.

That is, adding the same number to each side of an inequality does
not change the solution set.

Slide 2.5- 26
Objective 1

Solve linear inequalities by using

the addition property.

Slide 2.5- 27
 CLASSROOM Using the Addition Property of Inequality
EXAMPLE 1
Solve k – 5 > 1, and graph the solution set.
Solution:
k–5>1
k–5+5>1+5 Add 5.
k>6

Slide 2.5- 28
 CLASSROOM Using the Addition Property of Inequality (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 1
k–5>1
Let k = 4 Let k = 7
4–5>1 7–5>1
–1 > 1 False 2>1 True
–1 is not in the solution set 7 is in the solution set

The check confirms that (6, ), is the correct solution.

Slide 2.5- 29
 CLASSROOM
Using the Addition Property of Inequality
EXAMPLE 2

Solution:
Solve 5x + 3  4x – 1, and graph the solution set.

5x + 3 – 3  4x – 1 – 3
5x  4x – 4
5x – 4x  4x – 4x – 4
x  –4

Slide 2.5- 30
 CLASSROOM Using the Addition Property of Inequality
EXAMPLE 2
5x + 3  4x – 1
Let x = –5 Let x = 0
5(–5) + 3  4(–5) – 1 5(0) + 3  4(0) – 1
–25 + 3  20 – 1 0+3 0–1
–22  –21 False 3  –1 True
–5 is not in the solution set0 is in the solution set

The check confirms that [–4, ), is the correct solution.

Slide 2.5- 31
 Objective 2
Solve linear inequalities by using
the multiplication property.

Slide 2.5- 32
 Solve linear inequalities by using the multiplication
property.

Multiplication Property of Inequality

For all real numbers A, B, and C, with C  0,

a. the inequalities
A < B and AC < BC are equivalent if C > 0;

b. the inequalities
A < B and AC > BC are equivalent if C < 0.

That is, each side of an inequality may be multiplied (or divided) by a

positive number without changing the direction of the inequality
symbol. Multiplying (or dividing) by a negative number requires
that we reverse the inequality symbol.

Slide 2.5- 33
 CLASSROOM
Using the Multiplication Property of Inequality
EXAMPLE 3
Solve each inequality, and graph the solution set.
4m  100
Solution:

Divide each side by 4. Since 4 > 0, do not reverse the inequality

symbol.
4m 100

4 4
m  25
The solution set is the interval (, 25].

-30
]
-25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5

Slide 2.5- 34
 CLASSROOM
Using the Multiplication Property of Inequality (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 3

9m  81
Solution:
Divide each side by 9. Since 9 < 0, reverse the inequality
symbol.
9m  81
9m 81

9 9
Reverse the m9
inequality symbol
when dividing by
a negative
number.
The solution set is the interval (9, ).

-2 0 2 4 6 8 ( 10 12 14 16

Slide 2.5- 35
CLASSROOM Solving a Linear Inequality by Using the Distributive Property
EXAMPLE 4
Solve 6(x – 1) + 3x  –x – 3(x + 2), and graph the solution set.
Solution:

Step 1
6( x  1)  3 x   x  3( x  2)
6 x  6  3x   x  3x  6
9 x  6  4 x  6
Step 2 9 x  6  4x  4 x  6  4 x
13x  6  6
13x  6  6  6  6
Step 3 13x  0
13x 0
 The solution set is the
interval [0, ).
13 13
x0 -5 -4 [
-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Slide 2.5- 36
 CLASSROOM
Solving a Linear Inequality with Fractions
EXAMPLE 5
Solve and graph the solution set.
1 3
( x  3)  2  ( x  8)
4 4
1  3 
Solution: 4
 4 ( x  3)  2   4  4 ( x  8)  Multiply by 4.

1  3 
4  ( x  3)   4(2)  4  ( x  8)  Distributive
4  4  property.

x  3  8  3( x  8) Multiply.
x  3  8  3 x  24 Distributive
property.
x  11  3 x  24
x  11  11  3x  24  11 Subtract 11.

Slide 2.5- 37
 CLASSROOM
Solving a Linear Inequality with Fractions (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 5

x  11  11  3 x  24  11 Subtract 11.

x   3 x  13
x  3 x  3x  3 x  13 Subtract 3m.

2 x  13
2 x 13
 Divide 2.
2 2
13 The solution set is the
x interval [−13/2, ).
2
Reverse the
inequality symbol
[
when dividing by
a negative
number.
Slide 2.5- 38
 Objective 3
Solve linear inequalities with three
parts.

Slide 2.5- 39
 Solve linear inequalities with three parts.

For some applications, it is necessary to work with a three-part

inequality such as

3 < x + 2 < 8,

where x + 2 is between 3 and 8.

In three-part inequalities, the order of the parts is important. Write them

so that the symbols point in the same direction and both point toward
the lesser number.

Slide 2.5- 40
 CLASSROOMSolving a Three-Part Inequality
EXAMPLE 6
Solve −4 < x – 2 < 5, and graph the solution set.
Solution:
−4 + 2 < x – 2 + 2 < 5 + 2 Add 2 to each part.
−2 < x < 7
The solution set is the interval (−2, 7).

( )

Slide 2.5- 41
 CLASSROOM
Solving a Three-Part Inequality
EXAMPLE 7
Solve 5 < 3x – 4 < 9 and graph the solution set.
Solution:

5 + 4 < 3x – 4 + 4 < 9 + 4 Add 4 to each part.

9 < 3x < 13
9 3 x 13
  Divide by 3.
3 3 3
13
3 x 
3

( )

Slide 2.5- 42
Solve linear inequalities with three parts.
Types of solution sets for linear equations and inequalities are
summarized in the table below.

Slide 2.5- 43
Objective 4

Solve applied problems by using

linear inequalities.

Slide 2.5- 44
Solve applied problems by using linear inequalities.

The table gives some common words and phrases you might see in a
problem that suggest inequality.

Slide 2.5- 45
 CLASSROOM
Using a Linear Inequality to Solve a Rental Problem
EXAMPLE 8

A rental company charges $5 to rent a leaf blower, plus $1.75 per hr.
Marge Ruhberg can spend no more than $26 to blow leaves from her
driveway and pool deck. What is the maximum amount of time she
can use the rented leaf blower?
Solution:

Slide 2.5- 46
 CLASSROOM
Using a Linear Inequality to Solve a Rental Problem (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 8

Write an inequality.
She must pay $5, plus $1.75 per hour for h hours and no
more than $26.
Cost of is no
renting more than 26

5 + 1.75h ≤ 26

Solve. 1.75h ≤ 21 Subtract 5.

h ≤ 12 Divide by 1.75.
State the answer.
She can use the leaf blower from a maximum of 12 hours.

Slide 2.5- 47
 CLASSROOM
Finding an Average Test Score
EXAMPLE 9
Abbey has scores of 92, 90, and 84 on his first three tests. What
score must he make on his fourth test in order to keep an average
of at least 90?
Solution:
Let x = score on the fourth test.

To find the average of four numbers, add them and then divide by
4.
His average score must be at least 90.
is at
Average least
 9 0
   

92  90  84  x
 90
4
Slide 2.5- 48
 CLASSROOM
Finding an Average Test Score (cont’d)
EXAMPLE 9

266  x
 90
4

266  x  360
x  94

He must score 94 or more on his fourth test.

Slide 2.5- 49