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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
4+ = 9
5
Addition Property of
Equality
If we add something to one side of
our equation, we must add it to both
sides.
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
(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.
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.
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.
(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
2x + 4 – 4 = 20 – 4
This produces
2x = 16
Example
2x = 16
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
3x - 10 – x = x – x – 4
This produces
2x - 10 = - 4
Example:
2x – 10 = -4
2x – 10 + 10 = - 4 + 10
This produces 2x = 6
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