2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Preview

Warm Up
California Standards
Lesson Presentation
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Warm Up
Simplify.
1. 4x – 10x –6x
2. –7(x – 3) –7x + 21
3. 2x + 3
4. 15 – (x – 2) 17 – x
Solve.
5. 3x + 2 = 8 2

6. 28
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

California
Standards
4.0 Students simplify expressions before
solving linear equations and inequalities in one
variable, such as 3(2x – 5) + 4(x – 2) = 12.
5.0 Students solve multistep problems,
including word problems, involving linear
equations and linear inequalities in one variable
and provide justification for each step.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Vocabulary
identity
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

To solve an equation with variables on both sides,

use inverse operations to "collect" variable terms
on one side of the equation.

Helpful Hint
Equations are often easier to solve when the
variable has a positive coefficient. Keep this in
mind when deciding on which side to "collect"
variable terms.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 1: Solving Equations with

Variables on Both Sides

Solve 7n – 2 = 5n + 6.
7n – 2 = 5n + 6
To collect the variable terms on one
–5n –5n side, subtract 5n from both sides.
2n – 2 = 6
+2 +2 Since 2 is subtracted from 2n, add 2
to both sides.
2n = 8
Since n is multiplied by 2, divide both
sides by 2 to undo the multiplication.
n=4
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 1a

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

4b + 2 = 3b
4b + 2 = 3b To collect the variable terms on
–3b –3b one side, subtract 3b from
b+2= 0 both sides.
–2 –2 Since 2 is added to b, subtract
2 from both sides.
b = –2
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 1a Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Check 4b + 2 = 3b
4(–2) + 2 3(–2) To check your answer,
substitute –2 for b.
–8 + 2 –6
–6 –6 
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 1b
Solve the equation. Check your answer.

0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y – 0.3

0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y – 0.3 To collect the variable terms
on one side, subtract 0.3y
–0.3y –0.3y
from both sides.
0.5 = 0.4y – 0.3
+0.3 + 0.3 Since 0.3 is subtracted from
0.4y, add 0.3 to both sides
0.8 = 0.4y
to undo the subtraction.

Since y is multiplied by 0.4,

divide both sides by 0.4 to
2=y undo the multiplication.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 1b Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Check 0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y – 0.3

0.5 + 0.3(2) 0.7(2) – 0.3 To check your answer,

substitute 2 for y.
0.5 + 0.6 1.4 – 0.3
1.1 1.1 
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

To solve more complicated

equations, you may need to first
simplify by using the Distributive
Property or combining like terms.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 2: Simplifying Each Side Before

Solving Equations

Solve the equation.

4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 5(7 – 2a)

4 – 6a + 4a = –1 –5(7 – 2a) Distribute –5 to the

expression in
4 – 6a + 4a = –1 –5(7) –5(–2a)
parentheses.
4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 35 + 10a
Combine like terms.
4 – 2a = –36 + 10a
Since –36 is added to
+36 +36 10a, add 36 to both
40 – 2a = 10a sides.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 2 Continued

Solve 4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 5(7 – 2a).
40 – 2a = 10a To collect the variable terms
+ 2a +2a on one side, add 2a to both
40 = 12a sides.

Since a is multiplied by 12,

divide both sides by 12.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 2a
Solve the equation. Check your answer.

1
Distribute to the expression in
2
parentheses.

To collect the variable terms on

one side, subtract 1 b from
2
both sides.
3=b–1
+1 +1 Since 1 is subtracted from
4=b b, add 1 to both sides.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 2a Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Check

To check your answer,

substitute 4 for b.

5 5 
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 2b
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x + 2)

3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x + 2) Distribute 2 to the expression

in parentheses.
3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x) + 2(2)
3x + 15 – 9 = 2x + 4
Combine like terms.
3x + 6 = 2x + 4 To collect the variable terms
–2x –2x on one side, subtract 2x
from both sides.
x+6= 4
Since 6 is added to x, subtract
–6 –6
6 from both sides.
x = –2
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 2b Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Check 3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x + 2)

3(–2) + 15 – 9 2(–2 + 2) To check your answer,

–6 + 15 – 9 2(0) substitute –2 for x.
0 0
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

An identity is an equation that is always

true, no matter what value is substituted
for the variable. The solution set of an
identity is all real numbers. Some
equations are always false. Their solution
sets are empty. In other words, their
solution sets contain no elements.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 3A: Infinitely Many Solutions or

No Solutions
Solve the equation.
10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x
10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x Identify like terms.
Combine like terms on
11 – 5x = 11 – 5x the left and the right.

The statement 11 – 5x = 11 – 5x is true for all values

of x. The equation 10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x is an
identity. All values of x will make the equation true.
In other words, all real numbers are solutions.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 3B: Infinitely Many Solutions or

No Solutions
Solve the equation.
12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x
12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x Identify like terms.
13x – 3 = 13x – 4 Combine like terms on the left
and the right.
–13x –13x
Subtract 13x from both sides.
–3 = –4  False statement; the solution
set is .
The equation 12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x is always
false. There is no value of x that will make the
equation true. There are no solutions.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Writing Math
The empty set can be written as  or {}.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 3a

Solve the equation.
4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y

4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y Identify like terms.

3y + 7 = 3y + 10
–3y –3y Subtract 3y from both sides.
7 = 10  False statement; the
solution set is .
The equation 4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y is always
false. There is no value of y that will make the
equation true. There are no solutions.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 3b

Solve the equation.
2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21

2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21 Identify like terms.

Combine like terms on the
3c + 7 = 3c + 7
left and the right.

The statement 3c + 7 = 3c + 7 is true for all values

of c. The equation 2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21 is an
identity. All values of c will make the equation true.
In other words, all real numbers are solutions.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 4: Application

Jon and Sara are planting tulip bulbs. Jon has

planted 60 bulbs and is planting at a rate of 44
bulbs per hour. Sara has planted 96 bulbs and
is planting at a rate of 32 bulbs per hour. In
how many hours will Jon and Sara have planted
the same number of bulbs? How many bulbs
will that be?

Person Bulbs
Jon 60 bulbs plus 44 bulbs per hour
Sara 96 bulbs plus 32 bulbs per hour
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Additional Example 4 Continued

Let h represent hours, and write expressions for

the number of bulbs planted.
44 32
the bulbs
60 plus bulbs 96 plus ?
When is same each
bulbs each bulbs
as hour
hour

60 + 44h = 96 + 32h

60 + 44h = 96 + 32h To collect the variable terms

–32h –32h on one side, subtract 32h
from both sides.
60 + 12h = 96
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 4 Continued

60 + 12h = 96
Since 60 is added to 12h,
–60 – 60 subtract 60 from both sides.
12h = 36
Since h is multiplied by 12,
divide both sides by 12 to
undo the multiplication.
h=3
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Additional Example 4 Continued

After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will have planted the

same number of bulbs. To find how many bulbs they
will have planted in 3 hours, evaluate either
expression for h = 3:
60 + 44h = 60 + 44(3) = 60 + 132 = 192
96 + 32h = 96 + 32(3) = 96 + 96 = 192
After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will each have planted
192 bulbs.
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 4

Four times Greg's age, decreased by 3 is equal
to 3 times Greg's age, increased by 7. How old
is Greg?

Let g represent Greg's age, and write expressions

for his age.

Four three
is times
times decreased increased
3 equal 7 .
Greg's by Greg's by
to age
age

4g – 3 = 3g + 7
2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued

4g – 3 = 3g + 7 To collect the variable terms on

–3g –3g one side, subtract 3g from both
sides.
g–3= 7
Since 3 is subtracted from g, add
+3 +3
3 to both sides.
g= 10

Greg is 10 years old.

2-4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
Lesson Quiz
Solve each equation.

1. 7x + 2 = 5x + 8 2. 4(2x – 5) = 5x +
3 8
4

3. 6 – 7(a + 1) = –3(2 – a)
all real numbers
4. 4(3x + 1) – 7x = 6 + 5x – 2
1
5. 20 hours
6. A painting company charges $250 base plus $16
per hour. Another painting company charges $210
base plus $18 per hour. How long is a job for
which the two companies costs are the same?