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Solving Linear Equations in One Variable: Ax +B C A B C

The document discusses solving linear equations in one variable. It defines a linear equation as having a degree of 1, meaning the highest exponent on any variable is 1. It provides guidelines for solving linear equations, including simplifying, collecting like terms, and isolating the variable. Examples are given such as 2(x + 1) = 3(4 - x) and shown step-by-step how to solve for x. Practice problems with solutions are also included.

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Nasir Khan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
88 views

Solving Linear Equations in One Variable: Ax +B C A B C

The document discusses solving linear equations in one variable. It defines a linear equation as having a degree of 1, meaning the highest exponent on any variable is 1. It provides guidelines for solving linear equations, including simplifying, collecting like terms, and isolating the variable. Examples are given such as 2(x + 1) = 3(4 - x) and shown step-by-step how to solve for x. Practice problems with solutions are also included.

Uploaded by

Nasir Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Linear Equations in One Variable

A linear equation is an algebraic equation with a degree of 1. This means that the
highest exponent on any variable in the equation is 1.

A linear equation in one variable can be written in the form ax +b = c , where a, b,


and c are real numbers.

General guidelines for solving linear equations in one variable:

1. Simplify anything inside brackets.


2. Get rid of any brackets using the distributive property: a(b+c) = ab + ac
3. Collect like terms.
4. Isolate the unknown variable by moving all other terms to the other side of the
equation. To move a term across the equal sign, do the opposite operation on
the other side. (Addition → subtraction; subtraction → addition; multiplication →
division; division → multiplication).
𝑎 𝑐
5. Linear equations of the form 𝑏 = 𝑑 can be first simplified using cross
𝑎 𝑐
multiplication. 𝑏 = 𝑑 becomes ad = bc

Note: The above are guidelines only and are NOT a step-by-step guide to solving linear
equations in one variable. Different equations will require different techniques for
solving. In many cases, there is more than one way to solve a linear equation.

Examples:

Solve for x.

Example 1: 𝟐(𝒙 + 𝟏) = 𝟑(𝟒 − 𝒙)

2(𝑥 + 1) = 3(4 − 𝑥) Expand the brackets.


2𝑥 + 2 = 12 − 3𝑥 Move the x terms to the same side and the numbers to the
other side.
2𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 12 − 2 Collect like terms.
5𝑥 = 10 Move 5 to the other side by dividing by 5 on the right side.
10 Do the division.
𝑥=
5
𝑥=2

𝟐 𝟏 𝟒
Example 2: 𝟑 𝒙 − 𝟐 𝒙 = 𝟑
2 4 1 Move the like terms to the same side of the equation.
x− =
3 3 2
2 1 4 In order to subtract the x terms find a common denominator
x− x=
3 2 3 and re-write both terms as equivalent fractions with the same
denominator.

4 3 4 Subtract like terms.


𝑥− 𝑥=
6 6 3
1 4 Multiply x and 6
1
x=
6 3
𝑥 4 Move 6 to the other side by multiplying by 6 on the right side.
=
6 3
4 Do the multiplication.
x = (6)
3
24 Reduce the fraction.
x=
3
x=8

𝟑
Example 3: 𝒙 + 𝟒 = 𝟐

3 Move 4 to the right side of the equation.


+4=2
𝑥
3 Subtract.
= 2−4
𝑥
3 Cross multiply.
= −2
𝑥
3 −2
=
𝑥 1
3 = −2𝑥 Move −2 to the right side of the equation by doing the opposite
operation.
3 1 Leave your answer as an improper fraction or change it to a
𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = −1 2
mixed number.

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc


𝟑𝒙−𝟏
Example 4: 𝟓
= 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟏

3𝑥 − 1 Cross multiply to get rid of fractions on both sides of the


= 3𝑥 + 1
5 equation. (Note that 3x + 1 can be written as a fraction with
3𝑥 − 1 3𝑥 + 1 a denominator of 1).
=
5 1
3𝑥 − 1 = 5(3𝑥 + 1) Expand the brackets on the right side using the distributive
property.

3𝑥 − 1 = 15𝑥 + 5 Move 15x to the left side of the equation. Move −1 to the
right side of the equation.

3𝑥 − 15𝑥 = 5 + 1 Collect like terms.

−12𝑥 = 6 Move −12 to the right side of the equation by doing the
opposite operation.

6 Simplify the fraction by reducing to lowest terms.


𝑥= −
12
1
𝑥=−
2

𝟐𝒙+𝟏 𝟏 𝒙−𝟑
Example 5: 𝟑
+𝟐=𝟏− 𝟓

2x + 1 1 x−3 To get rid of fractions on both sides of the


+ =1−
3 2 5 equation, first find the lowest common
multiple (LCM) of the denominators.
2x + 1 1 x−3 Multiply EVERY term in the equation by
30 � � + 30 � � = 30(1) − 30 � �
3 2 5 the LCM. Simplify each term. Fractions
can be reduced.
10(2x + 1) + 15(1) = 30 − 6(x − 3) Get rid of brackets by using the distributive
property.
20x + 10 + 15 = 30 − 6x + 18 Move like terms to the same side of the
equation.
20x + 6x = 30 + 18 − 10 − 15 Collect like terms.

26x = 23 Move 26 to the right side of the equation


by doing the opposite operation.
23
x=
26

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc


Practice Questions:

1. Solve for x.

a) 3 − 4x = 8x + 3

b) 20x + 4x − 18 = 30 − 6x

c) 1 − (2x + 5) = −3x

d) −24(10)x + 19x = 76x − (9x + 2)

e) 8 (x − 3) − 2(x − 2) = 20

f) x − 3 = 2(x + 5) + 2x + 2
1 3
g) (x − 6) + (x + 10) = 24
2 5

x
h) 1 − 3
=6

x 3x
i) 2
− 4
=1

2x 7x
j) 3
+ 6
= 5x + 30

Answers:

1. a) x = 0
b) x = 1.6
c) x = 4
1
d) x = 144
2
e) x = 6 3

f) x = −5
1
g) x = 19 11

h) x = −15
i) x = −4
9
j) x = −9 19

Tutoring and Learning Centre, George Brown College 2014 www.georgebrown.ca/tlc

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