Solving equations

Review one-step and two-steps

Equations with variable on both sides
Real life Application
KEY TERMS

This is an example of a:
3
2𝑥 Term
?
A term is a product of numbers and variables
(no additions/subtractions)

3 𝑥+2 Expression
? of one or more
An expression is composed
terms, whether added or otherwise.

2
5 𝑥 +1=2 Equation
? expressions on the
An equation says that the
left and right hand side of the = have the same
value.
Equations must always be ‘balanced’

We already know that the ‘=’ symbol means each side

of the equation must have the same value.

𝑎=4
+2 +2

2 a 2 4 𝑎+ 2 ¿ 6
¿
If we added something to one side of the equation,
what do we have to do with the other side?
Equations must always be ‘balanced’

If we tripled the load on one side of the scales,

what do we have to do with the other side?

𝑎=4
×3 ×3
a
a a
4
4 4 3𝑎 ¿ 12
¿
Solving

4 𝑛+20=32 Strategy: Do the opposite

operation to ‘get rid of’ items
surrounding our variable.
?
-20 ?
-20

4 𝑛=12?
𝑥+4
-4?
𝑥
?
4 4?
?
𝑛= 3 ?
3𝑦 3
𝑦
𝑧 ?
×6

6 𝑧
Test Your Understanding

3 𝑛 −5=13
?
+5 ?
+5

3 𝑛=18 ?

?
3 ?
3

𝑛= 6 ?
When the solution is not a whole number

4 +6 𝑧=18
Your Go…

3=20+4𝑥
?
-4 -4?

6 𝑧=14 ?
?
?
6 6?

14 7
𝑧= ? =
Bro Note: In algebra,
we tend to give our

16 3
answers as fractions
rather than decimals
(unless asked).
And NEVER EVER EVER
recurring decimals.
Dealing with Fractions

𝑥
3+ =28
5
?
-3 -3?
𝑥
?=25
5
?
×5 ?
×5

𝑥=125 ?
What step next?
Use your planners to vote for the step that
would be easiest to do next in solving the
equation.

×  + -
2𝑥+7=5
×
-7

2 𝑥=−2
 +
-7

-
3 𝑥=9
×
3

𝑥=3
 +
3

-
−1+7𝑥=13
×
+1

7 𝑥=14
 +
+1

-
 ×3 ×3
𝑦 =27
×  + -
 −𝑥=2
Multiplying by -1 or dividing by -1
would have the same effect.

(-1) (-1)

𝑥=−2
×  + -
Self Practice
Solve the following equations, 14 ?
showing full working.
15 ?
1 ?
2 ? 16 ?
3 ?
4 ? 17 ?
5 ? 18 ?
6 ?
7 ? 19 ?
8 ?
20 ?
9 ?
21 ?
22 ?
10 ?
11 ? 23 ?
12 ?
24 ?
13 ? N ?
Example
The angles of a triangle are as
pictured. Determine .
𝒙+𝟏𝟎 Step 1: Think of a sentence which would have the
word “is” in it. Write each part of sentence as an
algebraic expression, with “is” giving =.

Step 2: Solve!
𝟐𝒙 𝒙 −𝟓𝟎
Sentence with is“is””in it?
“Sum of angles

𝑥+10+2𝑥+𝑥−50=180
Expr 1? Expr 2?

Solve!
Exercise 3 (See printed sheet)

1 The ages of three cats are and . Their total age is

21. Determine .

?
Three angles in a triangle are and . What is ?
2
?
Two angles on a straight line are and . What is ?
3
?
The perimeter of this rectangle is 44. What is ?
4 Solution: 7

? 2 𝑥 +3
𝑥 −2
The area of this rectangle
is 48. Determine .
5 𝑥+5
? 4
Forming the expressions yourself
Enoch is 5m shorter than Alex. Hajun is double the height
of Alex. Their combined height is 35m. Find Alex’s height.

Let Alex’s height be . Use the word “Let …” to

? define your variable(s)!
Then Enoch’ height is .
Hajun’s height is?. You want a clear narrative
while being as concise as
Then: possible.

Alex’s height is ?
10m.
Test Your Understanding
1 The length of the rectangle is three
times the width. The total perimeter is
56m. Determine its width.
Let be the width of the rectangle.
Then the length is . Bro Reminder: You
Then the perimeter is: should usually start
? with “Let …”
The width is 7m.