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Solving Linear Equations

Lesson 5
One-Variable Equations
 One-variable equations are
mathematical expressions with an
equal sign ( = ) in the middle and
only 1 variable.

 Example: x + 4 = 10
Properties of Equations
 We can think of think on being on a
see-saw as a way to express
equations. Our goal is to keep our
see-saw always balanced.
Equations

 When we are working with equations


we must have the same amount on
both sides to keep our equation
balanced. We want to keep our see-
saw balanced.

4+ = 9
5
Addition Property of
Equality
 If we add something to one side of
our equation, we must add it to both
sides.

 If we do not our equation will not be


balanced =
9

4+5+2
Addition Property of
Equality
 So if we add 2 to the left side we
must add it to both sides.
4+5+2 = 9+2

 Now we have 11 = 11 , a balanced


equation.
Subtraction Property of
Equality
 We just learned that if we add
something to one side of the
equation we must add it to both
sides. The same rule applies if we
subtract something. We must do it
to both sides.
(4 + 5) – 3 = 9-
3
Subtraction Property of
Equality
 This produces

(4 + 5 ) – 3 = 9–3

9–3 = 6

6 = 6
Multiplication Property of
Equality
 If we multiply something to one side
of our equation we must do it to both
sides.

(4 + 5)2 =
(9)2
Multiplication Property of
Equality
 This produces

(4 + 5)2 = (9)2

(9)2 = 18

18 = 18
Division Property of Equality
 If we divide by something on one
side we must divide by that
something on both sides.

(4 + 5) = 9
3 3
Division Property of Equality
 This produces:
(4 + 5) (9)
=
3 3
(9)
=3
3
3=3
Solving Equations
 Now we can use these properties to
help us solve these 1-variable
equations.

 Let us try an easy one

x + 4 = 10
Solving Equations
 x + 4 = 10 ; we can see that we
need to add 6 to 4 to get 10, but
what would we do if we did not know
that? What we want to do to solve
this is to get the variable all by itself.

 So how can we get x by itself on the


left side?
Solving Equations
 x + 4 = 10
 What is in our way? The ( + 4 ) is on the side
with our x. How can we get rid of it?

 What we need to do is subtract 4 ( - 4 ). We


subtract 4 ( - 4 ) because that is the opposite
of ( + 4).

 x + 4 – 4 = 10 – 4
 .. Remember if we do something to one side of
the equation we must do that to both sides.
Solving Equations
 x + 4 – 4 = 10 – 4

 x=6
 Now we have x alone on the left and
on the right side of the equation we
have 6. So we now know that x = 6.
 We need to check our answer.
Checking Solutions
 x + 4 = 10 ; we found that x = 6.

 Substitute x = 6 for all x’s in the


equation

 (6) + 4 = 10
10 = 10 ; this produces a true
statement so x = 6 is correct.
Strategies for Solving
 1) First eliminate any parentheses
with distribution.
 2) Use addition and subtraction
properties of equality first.
 3) Combine like terms
 4) Use multiplication and division
properties next.
Example
 Solve
2x + 4 = 20

First we want to get rid of the ( + 4 ).


How can we get rid of that?
Example
 2x + 4 = 20

We need to subtract ( - 4 ) from both sides.

2x + 4 – 4 = 20 – 4

This produces
2x = 16
Example
 2x = 16

Now we need to get the x by itself. What is


keeping the x from being alone? The 2
that is being multiplied to it is keeping it
from being alone. What do we need to do
to get rid of that 2? We need to do the
opposite of multiplication. So we need to
divide by 2.
Example
2 x 16
=
2 2
x =8
So now we found that x = 8, now we need to check
our answers.
Check our Solution
 Make sure that you always check your
answer in your original equation.

 2x + 4 = 20 , we found that x = 8.

2(8) + 4 = 20
16 + 4 = 20
20 = 20, so x = 8 is a correct solution.
Example:
 Let us try a problem with a variable on
both sides of the equation.

 3x - 10 = x – 4

 What you want to do first is to get all of


the variables on one side of the equation.
You want to move the smaller x. Between
3x and x you want to get rid of the x.
Example:
3x - 10 = x – 4
We want to subtract x from both sides.

3x - 10 – x = x – x – 4

This produces
2x - 10 = - 4
Example:
 2x – 10 = -4

Now we need to get the x alone. First


we need to get rid of the ( - 10 ). We
need to add 10 ( + 10 ) to both sides
of the equation.
Example:
 2x – 10 = -4

2x – 10 + 10 = - 4 + 10

This produces 2x = 6

What do we need to do now to get x alone.


We need to divide by 2 ( the opposite of
multiplication)
Example:

2x 6
=
2 2

x=3
Lets check our solution…..
Checking our Solution
 3x – 10 = x – 4 ; we found x = 3

3(3) – 10 = (3) – 4

9 – 10 = -1

-1 = -1 , this produces a true statement so


x = 3 is the solution.

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