Equations

A2
How do we solve a puzzle like

‘I am thinking of a number, I
add 4, multiply by 2 and my
answer is 14. What number did
I think of?’
One option is to draw a flow
chart and follow the flow
backwards inversing the
operations.
? Add 4 Multiply by 2 14

3 Subtract 4 7 Divide by 2 14
Try questions 4 and 8
Exercise 1
Rather than converting the
puzzle to a flow chart we can
convert it to an algebraic
expression.
Consider the first problem in
Exercise 1.

‘I am thinking of a number, I
multiply it by 5, then add 4.
The answer is 14. What
number did I start with?’
I am thinking of n
a number

I multiply it by 5 5n

Then add 4 5n + 4

The answer is 14 5n + 4 = 14
Consider the second problem in
Exercise 1.

‘I am thinking of a number. I
subtract 3. I multiply the
result by 6 and my answer is
54. What number did I think
of?’
I am thinking of m
a number

I subtract 3 m-3

Multiply the result 6(m-3)

by 6
The answer is 54 6(m-3) = 54
Try questions 6,7 & 8
Exercise 2
Now that we have the ability to
set up equations lets try and
solve them.
Consider 3a + 9 = 15

The best analogy to use when

solving equations is a balancing
scale.

Let the LHS and the RHS of

the equal sign represent
weights.
 3a + 9 15

Our goal is to get ‘a’ by itself on

the LHS pan.
 3a + 9 15

Need to get rid of the +9 on the

LHS pan.
 3a + 9 - 9 15 - 9

If we take 9 away from the LHS pan

we must take 9 away from the RHS
pan to restore the balance.
 3
3a 15
6 -9

We now need to remove the 3 to

get ‘a’ by itself.
 3
3a 15
6 -9

Divide both sides by 3.

 2
3a
3 6
3 31
 a 2

The equation is solved.

Lets do the same problem
without the scales.
Insert each term and their
corresponding sign inside a box.

3a + 9 = 15
Insert each term and their
corresponding sign inside a box.

3a + 9 = 15
Insert each term and their
corresponding sign inside a box.

3a = 15 - 9
+9 -9
+9 -9
+ 9
When a term is moved - 9
to the
+ 9- 9
other side of the equal sign its
corresponding sign changes to
its exact opposite.
 3a = 6
3×a=6
a×3=6
a ×3 = 6

Box the letter to be isolated

from the rest of the term in 3a.
 3a = 6
3×a=6
a×3=6
a ×3 = 6 ÷ ÷33
×3 ÷3
×a3= 6 ÷÷33
× 3× ÷
33
a=2
Try questions 11,16 & 19
Exercise 3
Solve for a in
3a + 11 = 35 - a
3a + 11 = 35 - a

3a + 11 + a = 35
Solve for a in
3a + 11 = 35 - a
3a + 11 = 35 - a

3a + 11 + a = 35

3a + a = 35 - 11
Solve for a in
3a + 11 = 35 - a
3a + 11 = 35 - a

3a + 11 + a = 35

3a + a = 35 - 11

4a = 24
 4a = 24
4 × a = 24
a × 4 = 24
a × 4 = 24
a = 24 ÷ 4
 4a = 24
4 × a = 24
a × 4 = 24
a × 4 = 24
a = 24 ÷ 4
a=6
Try questions 2,7 & 9
Exercise 4

Try questions 9 and 10

Exercise 5
To gain a better knowledge of
algebra it is essential you do all
of Exercise 5.
In mathematics there are
equations whose methods of
solving is yet to be discovered.
To solve these equations a
numerical approach is used.

One possible method is to use

the trial and error method.
Try question 5
Exercise 6

Try question 8
Exercise 7
Finished