CHAPTER

4 Equations
Organizing an event, such as a party for a few friends or a
dance for the entire school, can involve algebra. You might
Number Sense and Algebra use algebraic expressions and equations to determine
2 Solve first-degree equations using how much money you can spend on food, decorations,
a variety of tools and strategies. and entertainment. If the event involves ticket sales, your
2 Rearrange formulas involving knowledge of algebra can help you determine what the
variables in the first degree. price of a ticket should be.
2 Solve problems that can be In this chapter, you will solve a variety of equations,
modelled with first-degree
rearrange formulas, and solve problems using algebraic
equations, and compare algebraic
methods to other solution modelling.
methods.

2 Relate understanding of inverse

operations to squaring and taking
the square root, and apply inverse
operations to simplify expressions
and solve equations.

Vocabulary
equation
solution
root
constant term
formula

182
Chapter Problem
Suppose that you are the producer of a new reality show called
Canadian Superstar. In each episode, talented Canadian teens
compete in various singing and dancing events. First prize is a
recording contract and a national concert tour. As the show’s
producer, you are required to plan a number of important details,
such as theatre rentals, hotel accommodations, meals, and travel.

Your sponsors give you a budget. How can you use mathematics
to make smart decisions? In this chapter, you will learn to build
equation models that will allow you to solve some of these
problems.

183
 Collect Like Terms
To collect like terms, add the numerical coefficients.
The variable part of the terms does not change.
4x
2x  5x 5y  3y
y 4k
2  k  8
x  3y  3k  6

1. Simplify. 2. Simplify.
a) 6x
5x  3x b) 2y  5y
7y a) 5v
2  4  v b) 6  2x  3
9x
c) 8m  5m
m d) 3n
10n  2n c) 7y
6
4y  2 d) 3k  8  5k
5

Distributive Property
To multiply a binomial by a constant, use the distributive property.
Multiply each term inside the brackets by the constant.

2(3f  5) 3(u  2)  4(2u  7)

 6f
10  3u  6  8u
28 Collect like terms.
 5u
22

3. Simplify. 4. Simplify.
a) 4(2k  9) a) 2(2x  5)
3(x
9)
b) 2(5m
6) b) 4(y
1)
6(5y  2)
c) 3(6x
1) c) 3(7n  1)  (2n  3)
d) 7(y  2) d) 5(k
2)  3(2k  3)

Geometric Relationships
In earlier grades, you studied the following geometric relationships.
a

a b
b c
a + b = 180°
a + b + c = 180° a
b

a + b = 90°

184 MHR • Chapter 4

5. Find the measure of each unknown angle. 6. Find the measure of each unknown angle.
a) b) a) b)
x
40°

25°
35° 85° m
70° x z 120° m
k

Lowest Common Denominator

The lowest common denominator (LCD) is the lowest common multiple of the denominators
of two or more fractions. You can find the LCD using multiples or prime factors.
1 1
Find the LCD for and .
6 8
Method 1: Use Multiples
List the multiples of 6 and 8 until you reach a common value.
6, 12, 18, 24
8, 16, 24
1 1
The LCD for and is 24.
6 8
Method 2: Use Prime Factors
623
8222
The LCD will have all the prime factors of each number.
Start with the factors of the first number. Add any missing factors from the next number.
LCD  2  3  2  2
I need both factors of 6: 2  3
 24
The LCD is 24. For the factors of 8, I need to
include two more factors of 2.

7. Find the LCD for each pair of fractions. 9. Evaluate.

1 1 1 1 3 7 7 1
a) , b) , a)
b) 
5 8 6 9 4 12 8 2

8. Find the LCD for each set of fractions. 10. Evaluate.

1 1 1 1 1 1 5 2 11 1
a) , , b) , , a)
b) 
2 3 4 4 9 12 8 3 12 10

Get Ready • MHR 185

 Solve Simple
4.1 Equations

Pep rallies are a great way to

build school spirit by cheering on
your favourite school teams and
clubs. Suppose your student
council raises $500 in a school
spirit fundraising drive to buy
school T-shirts to give away at
a pep rally and puts you in
charge of purchasing. How can
your understanding of equations
help you determine how many
shirts you can buy?

Investigate

How can you use a simple equation to solve a problem?

1. Byron spent a total of $11 on two magazines. The cost of one
equation magazine is $5. You can use an equation to find the cost of
䊏 a mathematical statement the other magazine.
that says two expressions a) Choose a variable to represent the unknown.
are equal
b) Write an equation to represent this situation.
䊏 3x
3  2x  1 is an
equation c) What value of the variable makes the equation true? Describe
the math operation(s) you used to find the value.

2. Kelly spent a total of $10 on a pen and two mechanical pencils.

The pen cost $4 and the pencils each cost the same amount.
a) Choose a variable to represent the unknown.
b) Write an equation to represent this situation.
c) What value of the variable makes the equation true? Describe
the math operation(s) you used to find the value.

3. Reflect
a) How can you use mathematical operations to solve equations?
b) Explain how you can verify your answers.

186 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 1 Solve Equations Involving Adding and Subtracting

Solve each equation.

a) x
4  13 To solve an equation means to find the value of
b) x  8  2 the variable that makes the statement true.
c) 4
x  1

Solution
a) Method 1: Inspection
Sometimes you can solve an equation by inspection, which
means just looking at it and applying number sense.

x
4  13 A number plus 4 gives 13.

x9 The number must be 9.

The solution is x  9. solution

䊏 the value of the variable
Method 2: Balance Method
that makes an equation
Think of an equation as being like a balance, with the equal sign true
representing the centre. You can use algebra tiles to represent the
quantity on each side.
Go to
www.mcgrawhill.ca/
links/principles9 and follow
the links to find a Web site
that provides an interactive
model of the balance method
for solving equations.

To find what x equals, remove 4 unit tiles. You must do this

to both sides to keep the equation balanced.

The solution is x  9.

Method 3: Use the Opposite Operation

An equation is still true if you apply identical operations to
both sides.
Literac
x
4  13 If I subtract 4 on the left, I’ll be left with just onnections
x
4  4  13  4 x, because
4  4 makes zero. That means Follow these guidelines to
I’ll need to subtract 4 on the right, too.
x9 communicate your solution
effectively:
The solution is x  9. • Show all steps clearly.
• Use one equal sign per line.

4.1 Solve Simple Equations • MHR 187

 b) Method 1: Inspection

x82 A number minus 8 gives 2.

The number must be 10.
x  10
The solution is x  10.
Method 2: Balance Method
There are eight negative
unit tiles on the left that
need to be removed. You
cannot do this immediately
because there are none on
the right side.

Add eight zero pairs to the

right side first.

Now remove eight negative

unit tiles from each side to
solve for the unknown.

The solution is x  10.

Method 3: Use the Opposite Operation

x82
x8
82
8 I need to add 8 to
Literac x  10 both sides.
onnections
To isolate the variable means The solution is x  10.
to express an equation so that
the variable appears alone on c) Solving equations by inspection is efficient if the numbers are easy
one side of the equation. For to work with. Otherwise, it is better to apply opposite operations.
example, When applying opposite operations, you are isolating the variable.
4
x  1
4
4
x  1
4 4
x  1
I need to add 4 to both
x3 4
4
x  1
4
sides to get x by itself.
The variable x has been
x3
isolated on the left side of the
The solution is x  3.
equation.

188 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 2 Solve Equations Involving Multiplying and Dividing

Solve each equation.

n
a) 3y  18 b)  4 c) v  9
3
Solution
a) Method 1: Balance Method

Divide both sides into three equal groups.

The solution is y  6.

Method 2: Use the Opposite Operation

3y  18
3 times a number gives 18. I can
3y 18
 divide both sides of the equation
3 3 by 3 to find the unknown.
y6

b) Use the Opposite Operation

n
 4
3 n divided by 3 gives 4. To find the
1 n number, I need to undo the division. The
3  3  (4) opposite of dividing is multiplying. I
3
1 need to multiply both sides by 3.
n  12

c) Use the Opposite Operation

v  9
v 9 v means the same as 1v.
 To undo multiplication by 1,
1 1
I need to divide by 1.
v  9

4.1 Solve Simple Equations • MHR 189

 Example 3 Solve a Two-Step Equation

root (of an equation) Find the root of the equation and check the solution.
䊏 the value of the variable 5x
25  500
that makes an equation
true
Solution
䊏 the same as the solution of
an equation Method 1: Use Opposite Operations, Pencil and Paper
Isolate the variable term first.
5x
25  500
Literac 5x
25  25  500  25 Subtract 25 from both sides.
onnections
Finding the root of an
5x  475
equation means the same 5x 475
 Divide both sides by 5.
thing as solving an equation. 5 5
For example: x 95
9x2
The root of the equation is x  95.
The root of this equation is 7
because it makes the Check if this answer is correct by substituting x  95. Evaluate the left
statement true: 9  7  2. side (L.S.) and the right side (R.S.) of the equation. Both sides of the
equation must have the same value.
L.S.  5x
25 R.S.  500
The root is 95.
 5(95)
25
 475
25 When x  95, L.S.  500 and R.S.  500.
 500 To check a solution, I must make sure that
L.S.  R.S. the left side and the right side have the
same value.
Therefore, x  95 is correct.
Method 2: Use Opposite Operations, Computer Algebra System (TI-89)
In the Home screen, type the
equation 5x
25  500.
Then, press e.
Notice that the equation has been
repeated in the command line.

Isolate the variable term first.

Press the left cursor key.
Insert a bracket before the 5.
Cursor right, and place another
bracket after the 500.
Then, subtract 25.
Press e.
I am subtracting, so I
use the subtract key,
not the negative key.

190 MHR • Chapter 4

Copy and paste the new equation
onto the command line:
• Use the up cursor key to
highlight the new equation.
• Press Í 䉬 Í ↑ for [COPY].
Instead of copying and
• Use the down cursor key to
pasting, I could retype
return to the command line. the equation in the
• Press Í 䉬 ÍESC for [PASTE].
command line.

Put brackets around the equation

and divide by 5. The brackets are
needed for a Computer Algebra
System (CAS) to understand
where the equation begins and
ends. Technology Tip
• Press e. When you use a CAS to solve
The solution is x  95. an equation step by step,
the equation should look
Check if this solution is correct simpler after each step. If it
by substituting x  95 into the does not, check that you
have performed the correct
equation. The CAS result will be
step. You may need to
either true or false. Press the backtrack and correct your
following: error. A CAS makes this easy,
using the COPY and PASTE
( 5 *Í
x +25 = 500
commands.
Í x = 95 )e
| Í

The true result verifies that

x  95 is a correct solution.

Example 4 Modelling With Equations

A student council has raised $500 in a school spirit fundraising drive.

The council decides to use the funds to buy school T-shirts to give
away at a pep rally. If the T-shirts cost $6 each, how many can the
student council buy?

Solution
Use n to represent the number of T-shirts the student council can buy.
6n  500
$6 times the number of T-shirts,
6n 500
 Divide both sides by 6. n, must give $500. I can solve
6 6 this equation for n.
n  83.3
Since you cannot buy part of a T-shirt, round to 83. The student
council can buy 83 T-shirts.

4.1 Solve Simple Equations • MHR 191

 Key Concepts
䊏 To solve an equation means to find the value of the variable that
makes the statement true. This is also called finding the root of the
equation.
䊏 To solve a one-step equation, isolate the variable by performing the
opposite operation.
䊏 In a two-step equation, there is more than one term on one side, so
isolate the variable term first by adding or subtracting. Then, divide
by the coefficient of the variable term.
For example:
2x  7  9
This is like applying 2x  7
7  9
7 Add or subtract to isolate the variable term. BEDMAS
BEDMAS in reverse. 2x  16
2x 16
 Multiply or divide to solve for the variable. BEDMAS
2 2
x 8
䊏 Check a solution to an equation by substituting the root into the left
side and the right side of the equation. Both sides must be equal.
For the example above:
Substitute x  8.
L.S.  2(8)  7 R.S.  9
 16  7
9
L.S.  R.S.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Describe the first step you would take to solve each equation.
a) k  5  11 b) 3m  18
x
c)  4 d) 5n
75  225
5

C2 Which is the correct solution to 2x
5  21? Explain how you can

tell without solving the equation.
A x7 B x8 C x9

C3 A high school football team has raised $1000 to spend on team

jackets. The cost is $50 per jacket. Which equation can be used to
solve for the number of jackets the team can buy? Explain.
A 50  1000n B 50n  1000 C 1000n  50n

192 MHR • Chapter 4

Practise
For help with questions 1 to 3, see Example 1.
1. Solve by inspection.
a) x  5  4 b) m
8  11
c) y  3  0 d) h
2  6

2. Solve using the balance method.

a) x
5  12 b) x  6  7
c) y
3  10 d) y  4  2

3. Solve using opposite operations.

a) x
7  12 b) n  8  11
c) 5
y  2 d) 9
h  6

For help with questions 4 and 5, see Example 2.

4. Solve using the balance method.
a) 3x  12 b) 5y  20
n
c) 8 d) 2k  16
3
5. Solve using opposite operations.
h
a) 4z  24 b)  6
5
c) 6c  42 d) 9u  45

For help with questions 6 and 7, see Example 3.

6. Find the root of each equation using paper and pencil. Apply
opposite operations. Check each root.
a) 7x  4  10 b) 7k
2  16
c) p
7  0 d) 12g  33  0

7. Use a CAS to solve. Apply opposite operations. Check each solution.

a) k  4  9 b) 6x  30
q
c) 2 d) 2y  7  9
7
e) 3w  1  14 f) 2q  9  13

8. Solve using the method of your choice. Check your answers.

a) p
9  2 b) 5x  35
u
c)  8 d) 6r
3  33
4
e) 10c  6  16 f) 3v
6  9

For help with questions 9 and 10, see Example 4.

9. At a bake sale, pies cost $7 each. One customer buys $84 worth of pies.
a) Write an equation to model the number of pies the customer bought.
b) Solve the equation.
4.1 Solve Simple Equations • MHR 193
 10. A hockey team has $700 to buy new jerseys. Ice-wear, a jersey
supplier, charges $50 per jersey. How many new jerseys can the
team buy?
a) Write an equation that models the number of jerseys the team
can afford.
b) Solve the equation. Write a conclusion to the problem.

Connect and Apply

11. Copy the following solution. Write a short explanation beside each
step. The first step has been done for you.
Step Explanation
3x  8 7
3x  8
8 7
8 Add 8 to both sides.
3x  15
3x 15

3 3
x 5

12. Solve each equation. Express fraction answers in lowest terms.

Check each solution.
a) 2k  7  8 b) 3x
8  2
c) 4m  6  12 d) 9u
8  23

13. Solve each equation. Express fraction answers in lowest terms.

3 2
a) 8r   15 b) 10h  6  
2 5

14. Chapter Problem Your first task as producer of Canadian Superstar is

to rent a theatre for the first event, a singing competition. Rental
includes lunch and snacks for the competitors. Details for the two
best choices are shown:

Royal James Hall Broadway Nights

$50 per person $1000 plus $30 per person

You have $2000 in your budget for this event. You would like to
begin the competition with as many contestants as you can afford.
a) Write an equation to model the cost for renting Royal James Hall.
Solve the equation.
b) The cost for renting Broadway Nights can be modelled by the
equation C  1000
30n.
Explain why this equation correctly gives the cost, C, in dollars,
for n contestants.
c) Use the total amount budgeted (C  2000) to solve this equation
for n.
d) Which hall should you rent? Explain.

194 MHR • Chapter 4

15. A hockey team has $700 to buy new jerseys. In question 10, you
found how many jerseys the team could buy from Ice-wear. Another
jersey supplier, Rink Rat, sells jerseys for $40 each plus a $75 logo
design fee.
a) Write an equation that models the number of jerseys the team
can afford.
b) Solve the equation.
c) From which supplier should the team buy their jerseys? Explain.
d) What other factors might influence this decision?

16. Marcel has $40 to spend on amusement park rides. Tickets cost $1.50
without a special membership pass, or $1.25 with a membership pass.
A membership pass costs $5.00. Should Marcel buy a membership
pass? Use mathematical reasoning to justify your answer.

Achievement Check
17. In an isosceles triangle, the equation a
2b  180° relates the two a
equal angles and the third angle.
a) Use this equation to find the value of a when
• b  25° • b  100°
b) Use this equation to find the value of b when
b b
• a  40° • a  100°
c) What is the maximum possible whole-number value of a? Justify
your answer.
d) What is the maximum possible whole-number value of b? Justify
your answer.

Extend
18. Justine’s mother is building an ultralight airplane. The
fuel tank is made of plastic and has a mass of 5000 g.
Each litre of gasoline has a mass of 840 g. The total
mass of the fuel plus the tank cannot exceed 21 800 g.
a) Write an equation that models the number of litres
of gasoline that the tank may hold.
b) Solve the equation to determine the number of litres of fuel in a
full tank.

19. Refer to question 14.

a) Would you change your decision if your budget were doubled for
this event? Explain.
b) Is there a budget value for which it does not matter which hall
you rent? If so, find the value.

20. Math Contest If m and n are positive integers and m
n  6, which

is a possible value for 3m  2n?
A 4 B 4 C 0 D 2 E 2

4.1 Solve Simple Equations • MHR 195

 Solve Multi-Step Equations
4.2

Look at the shapes in the bridge. The beams that form the triangular
structures are called trusses. These are very useful in engineering and
architecture, because they add strength and stability
to structures such as bridges and buildings.
Where else are you likely to find triangles in common settings?
How can equations be used to describe geometric relationships
and to solve problems?

Investigate

How can you use equations to model and solve problems?

These two triangles have the
same perimeter. 3
2x
x x+3
Makin You can use the equation
3x x+4
onnections 5x
3  3x
7 to model
Perimeter is the distance the situation and find the side lengths of the two triangles.
around the outside of a shape.
Think how each side of this 1. Solve the equation by isolating the variable on the left side of the
equation was found. equation. Explain your steps in words and algebraic symbols.

2. Solve the equation by isolating the variable on the right side of the
equation. Explain your steps in words and algebraic symbols.

3. Reflect
a) Compare your results from steps 1 and 2.
b) Explain how you can collect like terms to solve equations with
the variable on both sides.

4. Describe how you would use the solution to the equation to find
the side lengths of each triangle.

196 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 1 Solve Equations by Collecting Like Terms

Solve.
a) 3x
2  2x  4 b) 7  2k  8  5k c) 5  3m  2  2m Makin
onnections
Solution You learned how to collect like
terms in Chapter 3.
To solve an equation involving several terms, collect variable terms on
one side of the equation and constant terms on the other. constant term
a) 3x
2  2x  4 The variable terms are 3x and 2x.
䊏 a term that does not
include a variable
3x
2  2x  2x  4  2x I’ll collect these on the left side by
x
2  4 subtracting 2x from each side.
䊏 in 2x
5, the constant
term is 5
x
22  4  2
x  6 The constant terms are 2 and —4. I’ll collect these
Literac
on the right side by subtracting 2 from each side. onnections
A constant term is called
b) You can collect variable terms and constant terms in one step. constant because its value
does not change.
Method 1: Pencil and Paper
7  2k  8  5k
7  2k
5k  7  8  5k
5k  7 I’ll collect variable terms
on the left side by
2k
5k  87
adding 5k to both sides.
3k  1
3k 1 I’ll collect constant
 Divide both sides by 3. terms on the right side
3 3
by subtracting 7 from
1
k both sides.
3

Method 2: Computer Algebra System (CAS)

In the Home screen, type the
equation
Technology Tip
7  2k  8  5k.
Use the ALPHA key to enter
Press e.
variables other than X, Y, Z,
or T. For example, to enter
the variable k, press a
Í EE for [K].

To collect variable terms on

the left side and constant
terms on the right, add 5k
and subtract 7:
• Put brackets around the
equation.
• Type
5k  7.
• Press e.

4.2 Solve Multi-Step Equations • MHR 197

 COPY and PASTE the
resulting equation in the
command line.
Put brackets around the
equation.
Divide by 3 to find the solution.
1
k
3

c) When you solve an equation, it does not matter which side you
isolate the variable on.

Method 1: Isolate m on the Left Side

5  3m  2  2m
5  3m
2m  5  2  2m
2m  5 Add 2m to both sides and
3m
2m  2  5 subtract 5 from both sides.
m  7
m 7
 Divide both sides by 1.
1 1

m
Method 2: Isolate m on the Right Side
5  3m  2  2m
5  3m
3m
2  2  2m
3m
2 Add 3m and add 2 to both
5
2  2m
3m sides.
7m
Both methods give the solution, m  7. In this case, isolating the
variable on the right side saves a step.

Example 2 Solve Equations With Brackets

a) Solve. 5(y  3)  (y  2)  19
b) Solve and check. 2(x  3)  3(x
5)  6

Solution
a) Expand to remove the brackets. Then, collect like terms.
5(y  3)  (y  2)  19

5(y  3)  1(y  2)  19 Apply the distributive property to

5y  15  y
2  19 remove brackets.
4y  13  19
4y  13
13  19
13 Add 13 to both sides.
4y  32
4y 32
 Divide both sides by 4.
4 4
y 8

198 MHR • Chapter 4

 b) 2(x  3)  3(x
5)  6 Apply the distributive property to remove
2x  6  3x  15  6 brackets.
2x  6  3x  21
2x  6
6  3x  21
6 Add 6 to both sides.
2x  3x  15
2x
3x  3x  15
3x Add 3x to both sides.
5x  15
5x 15
 Divide both sides by 5.
5 5 Literac
onnections
x 3
Follow these guidelines when
Check by substituting x  3 into each side of the equation. Both checking a solution (root):
• Use nested brackets when
sides must have the same value for this solution to be correct.
substituting, where
necessary. For example:
L.S.  2(x  3) R.S.  3(x
5)  6
2(x  3) when x  3
 2[(3)  3]  3[(3)
5]  6
 2[(3)  3]
 2(6)  3(2)  6 • Follow the correct order of
 12  6  6 operations. Use BEDMAS to
 12 help you remember the
L.S.  R.S. order.
• Remember the rules for
Since L.S.  R.S., x  3 is the solution, or root, of the equation. integer operations.

Example 3 Use an Equation to Model a Geometric Relationship

A triangle has angle measures that are related as follows:

• the largest angle is triple the smallest angle
• the middle angle is double the smallest angle
Find the measures of the angles.

Solution
Let x represent the smallest angle. The other angles are double and 3x
triple this value: 2x and 3x.
2x x
The sum of the three interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
x
2x
3x  180°
6x  180°
Have I answered the question?
6x 180°
 Divide both sides by 6. I have only found x, which is the
6 6 smallest angle. I still need to find
x  30° the other two angles.

2x 3x
 2(30°)  3(30°) 90°
 60°  90°
60° 30°
The three angles are 30°, 60°, and 90°.

4.2 Solve Multi-Step Equations • MHR 199

 Key Concepts
䊏 To solve an equation involving multiple terms, collect variable
terms on one side of the equation and constant terms on the other.
䊏 To solve an equation involving brackets, you may need to expand
the brackets first.
䊏 Check a solution by substituting the root into the left side and right
side of the original equation. Both sides must have the same value.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Describe the first step you would take to solve each equation.
a) 2x
7  4x  9
b) 13  8
3m
c) 3(k  2)  2(k
8)

C2 p  2 is the correct solution to which equation? Explain how you

can tell without solving the equations.
A 6p  5  8p  9
B 4(p  1)  7(p
4)
C 3(p  1)  6  (p
5)

Practise
For help with questions 1 to 3, see Example 1.
1. Solve using pencil and paper.
a) 3
4m
5m  21 b) 16y  8  9y  27
c) 46  2  8w  3w d) 3d
4  9d
12  0

2. Solve using pencil and paper.

a) 5x
9  3x
7 b) 2u  8  5u  1
c) 4y  13  6y
7 d) 7  5m  2  2m

3. Solve using a CAS. Use at least two steps.

a) 0  14  x
6x  9 b) 11  n
3  3n
3n
c) 4t  5  2t
5 d) 6k  3  2k  k  3

For help with questions 4 and 5, see Example 2.

4. Find the root of each equation using pencil and paper.
a) 2(x  2)  4x  2 b) 4c
3  3(c  4)
c) 6p
4(8  p)  22 d) k  2(11  k)
14

200 MHR • Chapter 4

 5. Find the root of each equation using pencil and paper.
Check each solution.
a) 2(x  3)
3(x  2)  18 b) 4(y  1)  (y  5)  10
c) 2(c
2)  5(c
1)  7 d) 3(t  4)  2(t
3)
14

For help with questions 6 and 7, see Example 3.

6. Two or more angles are supplementary if their
Makin
sum is 180°. onnections
a) An angle is twice the size of its supplement. x y You will study geometric
Set up and solve an equation to find the x + y = 180° relationships in more depth in
Chapter 7: Geometric
measures of the two angles.
Relations.
b) An angle is five times the value of its
supplement. Find the measures of the
two angles.

7. Two or more angles are complementary if their

sum is 90°.
Three angles are complementary. One angle is
double the smallest angle. The largest angle is
triple the smallest angle. Find the measures of a b
the three angles. c
a + b + c = 90°

Connect and Apply

8. The following shows that x  3 is the correct solution to the
equation 2(x
4)
5  6  (x
2). Copy this check and explain
each step. The first step has been done for you.
Step Explanation
L.S.  2[(3)
4]
5 Substitute the root into the left side.
 2(1)
5
 2
5
 7
R.S.  6  [(3)
2]
 6  (1)
 6
1
 7
L.S.  R.S.
Therefore, x  3 is correct.

9. Solve each equation. Express fraction answers in lowest terms.

Check each solution.
a) 3x  8  7x
10 b) 3
10i  4i  18
c) 4(u
6)  2(3u  4) d) 4(k  3)  2  (2k  6)
e) 3(p
7)  (4p  1)  5(2p  3)
1
f) 8  (3w  2)  5(w  3)  (4w  3)

4.2 Solve Multi-Step Equations • MHR 201

 10. Find the root, to one decimal place. Check each answer.
a) 3.2x  7.4  2.1x
1.5
b) 3(2.5d  1.1)  2(5.2  3.3d)

11. How does a Computer Algebra System handle complicated

equations? Refer to Example 2, part a):
5(y  3)  (y  2)  19
a) Enter this equation into the Home screen and press e.
b) Write down the screen output.
c) Explain what the CAS did to the equation.
d) Use the CAS to finish solving the equation.

12. Use a CAS to find the root of each equation.

a) (5q  2)
(3  4q)  4
b) 17  (6u
7)  (3u  10)

Reasoning and Proving

13. One type of truss design commonly used to build bridges is known
Representing Selecting Tools
as the Warren truss pattern. This features a series of equilateral or
Problem Solving isosceles triangles.
Connecting Reflecting

Communicating

An isosceles triangle and an equilateral triangle have the same

perimeter. Find the side lengths of each triangle.

2x + 1
6

3x + 2

Literac 14. A family of isosceles triangles has the property that the two equal
onnections angles are each half the value of the third angle. Find the measures
An isosceles triangle has two of the angles.
equal sides and two equal
angles.

202 MHR • Chapter 4

Extend
15. A family of right isosceles triangles has
side lengths in the approximate ratio 1:1:1.4.
A triangle belonging to this family has a 1.4x
1x
perimeter of 50 cm.
a) Find the length of each side, to the nearest
tenth of a centimetre.
1x
b) Explain how you solved this.

16. A family of right triangles has side lengths in the approximate ratio
1:1.7:2. One triangle belonging to this family has a perimeter of
100 cm. Find its area, to the nearest square centimetre.

17. Solve each equation. Express fraction answers in lowest terms.

1
a) (x
6)  4(x  2)
2
1 1 1
b) k
 k
3 2 4

18. Math Contest Solve. Check your solutions.

a) x(x  12)  30
x(x
3)
b) 14  x(x
3)  2x  x(x  6)
8

19. Math Contest If x  4 and y  3 satisfy the equation

3x2
ky2  24, then which is the value of k?
1 1 8 8
A B  C 8 D E 
2 2 3 3

20. Math Contest How many possible values of x

make the triangle isosceles?
A 0
5x — 8
B 1 3x — 4

C 2
D 3
x+6
E more than 3

21. Math Contest Is there a value of x that makes

this triangle equilateral? Explain your decision. 3x — 4
2x + 7

5x — 8

4.2 Solve Multi-Step Equations • MHR 203

 Solve Equations Involving
4.3 Fractions

Rock gardens are a fascinating tradition of the Japanese culture. Their

beauty is a result of a careful combination of natural landscape and
artistic design. The peaceful atmosphere of a Japanese rock garden can
provide moments of quiet reflection, contemplation, and appreciation of
the simple beauties in life. How can mathematics be used in the design
of a rock garden?

Investigate

What techniques can you use to solve equations involving fractions?

Kumiko is designing a rock garden in b=?
the shape of a trapezoid. She decides
that the garden should have a front
width of 8 m and a depth of 5 m. The A = 50 m2 h=5m
area must be 50 m2 to fit her design.
How wide should Kumiko’s garden be
a=8m
at the back?

(a
b)h
1. The formula for the area of a trapezoid is A  . Substitute
2
the known values into this formula.

2. Find the value of the unknown, b.

3. Reflect Describe any difficulties you encountered in solving this

equation. What can you do to make it easier to solve equations
involving fractions?

204 MHR • Chapter 4

Example 1 Solve Equations Involving One Fraction

Solve.
1 3(y  5)
a) 6  (8
x) b) 7
3 4

Solution
When solving an equation involving fractions, it is helpful to multiply
both sides by the same value to eliminate the fractions.
1
a) 6 (8
x) Instead of distributing a fraction to remove
3 brackets, multiply both sides of the equation
1 by 3 to eliminate the fraction on the right
36 3  (8
x) side.
3
18  8
x
18  8  8
x8 Subtract 8 from both sides.
10  x

b) Method 1: Pencil and Paper

3(y  5)
7
4
3(y  5) Multiply both sides of the equation by 4 to
4 47 eliminate the fraction.
4
3(y  5)  28 Apply the distributive property to remove
3y  15  28 brackets.

3y  15
15  28
15 Add 15 to both sides.

3y  43
3y 43
 Divide both sides by 3.
3 3
43
y
3

Method 2: Computer Algebra System (CAS)

3(y  5)
In the Home screen, enter the equation  7.
4

Multiply by 4 to eliminate the fraction.

4.3 Solve Equations Involving Fractions • MHR 205

 You can distribute the 3, or
you can simply divide both
sides by 3 to remove the
brackets.

This produces an unpleasant

fraction on the right side.
However, a CAS has no
difficulty working with
fractions. Finish the solution
by adding 5 to both sides.

43
The solution is y  .
3

Example 2 Solve Equations With More Than One Fraction

k
2 k4
a) Solve  .
3 5
1 3
b) Solve and check (2x  5)  (x  2).
3 4 1 1
To find the LCD for — and —,
3 5
I’ll count by 3s and 5s.
Solution
3 6 9 12 15
k
2 k4 5 10 15
a) 
3 5 The LCD is 15.

5 k
2 3 k4 Multiply both sides by the

15   15  lowest common denominator
3 5
1 1 to eliminate both fractions.

5(k
2)  3(k  4) Apply the distributive

5k
10  3k  12 property to remove brackets.
5k
10  3k  10  3k  12  3k  10 Subtract 3k and 10 from
2k  22 both sides.
2k 22
 Divide both sides by 2.
2 2
k 11

206 MHR • Chapter 4

 1 3
b) (2x  5)  (x  2) I’ll use prime factors to find
3 4 the LCD.
1 3 Multiply both sides by the 33 422
12  (2x  5)  12  (x  2) lowest common denominator
3 4 The LCD is 3  2  2, or 12.
4 3 to eliminate both fractions.
12 1 12 3
 (2x  5)   (x  2)
1 3 1 4
1 1

4(2x  5)  9(x  2) Apply the distributive

8x  20  9x  18 property to remove brackets.

8x  20  8x
18  9x  18  8x
18 Subtract 8x from both sides

2  x and add 18 to both sides.

Check:
1 3 Substitute x  2 into
L.S.  (2x  5) R.S.  (x  2) the left side and right
3 4
side of the original
1 3
 [2(2)  5]  [(2)  2] equation.
3 4
1 3
 (4  5)  (4)
3 4
1  3
 (9)
3
 3
L.S.  R.S.

Since L.S.  R.S., x  2 is the root of this equation.

Key Concepts
䊏 You can simplify equations involving one fraction by multiplying
both sides by the denominator of the fraction.
䊏 When eliminating more than one fraction, find the lowest common
denominator and multiply all terms on both sides of the equation by
this value.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Explain the first step you would take to solve each equation.
1 2
a) (x  3)  5 b) 5  k 
4 3
C2 Without solving, identify which of these equations has the solution
k  2.
2 3 k  17
A (5  k)  2 B k 1 C 3 
3 4 5
C3 By what value should you multiply both sides of each equation to
eliminate all fractions? Explain.
x
1 x y
2 y3
a)  b) 
5 6 9 3
4.3 Solve Equations Involving Fractions • MHR 207
 Practise
For help with questions 1 and 2, see Example 1.
1. Solve using pencil and paper.
1 2
a) (x  2) 5 b) 4 (p  2)
3 3
m
4 2(h  3)
c) 7 d) 14 
3 5

2. Solve using a CAS. Use at least two steps.

y4 1
a)  6 b) (u  5)  2
5 4
2 3(v
7)
c) 3  (n
7) d) 16 
5 2

For help with questions 3 and 4, see Example 2.

3. Find the root of each equation. Check your answers.
m3 m
1
a) 
4 3
w1 w
2
b) 
4 3
1 1
c) (x  3)  (x  2)
4 3
1 1
d) (y  3)  (y
4)
5 6

4. Find the root of each equation. Use a CAS to check your answers.
2 3
a) (5n  1)   (n
2)
3 5
3 4
b)  (d
3)  (3d  2)
4 5
3c  2 2c  1
c) 
5 3
5  2a 6a
d) 
4 5

Connect and Apply

b = 12 m
5. A trapezoidal backyard has an area of 100 m2.
The front and back widths are 8 m and 12 m,
as shown.
What is the length of the yard from front A = 100 m2
h=?
to back?

a=8m

208 MHR • Chapter 4

 6. Each of the following solutions contains an error. Identify the error
and describe how to correct it.
x3 x
1
a) 
5 4
5(x  3)  4(x
1)
5x  15  4x
4
5x  15  4x
15  4x
4  4x
15
x 19
1 1
b) (3y  2)  (y
3)
3 4
1 1
12  (3y  2)  12  (y
3)
3 4
3y  2  y
3
3y  2  y
2  y
3y
2
2y  5
2y 5 Did You Know ?

2 2
The Celsius scale is
5 based on two key
y
2 properties of water.
5 Under normal
7. The equation C  (F  32) allows you to convert between conditions, water
9
freezes at 0°C and
Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures. C is the temperature in degrees boils at 100°C.
Celsius (°C) and F is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Splitting the
a) A U.S. weather station predicts that the overnight low temperature
temperature will reach 25°F. What is this in degrees Celsius? difference between
these two points
b) Room temperature is approximately 20°C. What is this equivalent into 100 equal
to in degrees Fahrenheit? intervals produces
the Celsius scale.
8. Find the height of a triangle with base 10 cm and area 50 cm2.

9. A garden is in the shape of a right triangle. The base of the triangle is

12 m, and the garden covers an area of 30 m2. What length of fence is
needed to surround the garden?

Achievement Check
10. A backyard has a perimeter of 144 m.
a) If the backyard is square, what are the dimensions?
b) If the backyard is rectangular, and the length is three times the
width, what are the dimensions? x x

c) If the backyard is a triangle, as shown, write an algebraic

expression for the perimeter and find its dimensions.
x—2
d) Which of the three backyard designs has the greatest area? Which ———–––
3
has the least?

4.3 Solve Equations Involving Fractions • MHR 209

 Extend
11. Solve.
3p p5 1 u3 3u 2u
1
a)
 b) 2 

4 3 2 4 2 5

12. Fahad called Sara over. “I’m stuck on this question about equations,”
he said.
“Where did you get it from?” asked Sara.
“From my older brother’s book,” Fahad told her. “It asks you to find
the roots of x(x  5)  0. I know how to solve equations, but this
one is different.”
Sara said “I know! The answer is x  0! If I substitute 0, it works!”
“Great!” said Fahad. “But the book says there are two roots.”
“Well,” said Sara, “if a  b  0, then either a  0 or b  0.”
“I’ve got it!” said Fahad.
“The other solution is
x  5, because it makes
the value of the second
bracket zero.”
“Excellent!” said Sara.
Solve these questions
from Fahad’s brother’s
book.
a) (x  3)(x  7)  0
(2 roots)
b) x(x  4)(x
2)  0
(3 roots)

13. Math Contest Diophantus of Alexandria was born around the year
200. He is known as the Father of Arithmetic. A puzzle about
Diophantus is as follows:
“His boyhood lasted one sixth of his life. He married after one
seventh more. His beard grew after one twelfth more and his son was
born 5 years later. The son lived to half his father’s final age, and the
father died 4 years after the son.”
How old was Diophantus when he died?

210 MHR • Chapter 4

 Modelling With Formulas
4.4
The CN Tower, in downtown Toronto, is the
world’s tallest freestanding structure. It was
built in the 1970s as a giant radio antenna.
Every year, thousands of tourists enjoy a
thrilling ride to the top and a breathtaking
view. Have you ever been up the CN Tower?
How far can you see?

Investigate

How can you use formulas to solve problems?

Have you ever seen a ship disappear over the horizon?
This happens because of the curvature of Earth.
The higher you are above the surface of Earth, the
farther away the horizon appears. The relationship
between how high you are and how far you can see
formula is given by the formula
䊏 describes an algebraic
relationship between two d  223.2h
or more variables Sky Pod
where h is your height, in metres, above ground
and d is the distance, in kilometres, to the horizon. 360
Use this relationship to answer the following. Restaurant

1. How far can you see from each? Round your

answers to the nearest kilometre.
a) the 360 Restaurant
b) the Sky Pod observation deck 351 m 447 m

2. a) How high would you have to go for the

horizon to appear to be 100 km away?
Round your answer to the nearest metre.
b) Explain how you found your answer.

3. Reflect Explain how you can use formulas in

different ways to solve problems. Think of
other formulas that you have used before. Use
one of them to illustrate your explanation.

4.4 Modelling With Formulas • MHR 211

 Example 1 Rearrange a Formula in One Step

Makin a) In geometry, an exterior angle of a triangle a

onnections is equal to the sum of the two opposite
You will explore geometric b d
interior angles:
relationships in greater depth
da
b
in Chapter 7: Geometric
Relations.
Rearrange this formula to express a in terms of b and d.

b) The circumference of a circle, in terms of its radius, is given by the

formula C  2r. Rearrange this formula to isolate r.

c) The area, A, of a square is related to its side length, l, by the

formula A  l2. Find the length, to the nearest tenth of a
centimetre, of a side of a square with area 32 cm2.

Solution
a) d  a
b
This formula expresses d in terms of a and b. To express a in terms
of b and d, subtract b from both sides of the equation.
dba
bb
dba
or a  d  b

b) C  2r This formula has C isolated. To

C 2pr isolate r, I need to divide both
 sides of the equation by 2.
2p 2p
C
r
2p
C
or r 
2p

c) A  l2
The formula gives A in terms of l. You can also use it to find l if
you are given A.
Method 1: Substitute, Then Rearrange
Substitute A  32.
Technology Tip The square of a number gives 32. To find the number,
32  l2
Calculators vary. The key I need to take the square root. I’ll use a calculator.
sequence may be different 232  l
ç 32 ◊ =
on your calculator. Check  l
5.66 
using a value you know, such
as 225  5.
The side length of the square is 5.7 cm,
to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.

212 MHR • Chapter 4

 Method 2: Rearrange, Then Substitute
Rearrange the formula to express l in terms of A.
A  l2 Take the square root of both sides.
2A  l
or l  2A
Substitute A  32.
l  232
 5.66

The side length is 5.7 cm, to the nearest tenth of a centimetre.
These two methods each take about the same amount of time and
effort. However, by rearranging the formula before substituting,
you get a new formula, l  2A , that you can use again, if needed.

Example 2 Rearrange a Formula in More Than One Step

The equation of a line relates y to x, m, and b: y  mx
b Makin

Rearrange this equation to express x in terms of y, m, and b. onnections
In Chapter 6: Analyse Linear
Relations you will learn the
Solution
significance of m and b in the
To rearrange a formula in terms of an unknown variable, y = mx + b form of a linear
• isolate the term that contains the unknown variable equation.

• isolate the unknown variable

Method 1: Use Opposite Operations, Pencil and Paper
y  mx
b
y  b  mx
b  b Subtract b from both sides to isolate the term
y  b  mx containing x.
yb mx
 Divide both sides by m to isolate x.
m m
yb
x
m
yb
or x 
m
Method 2: Use Opposite Operations, Computer Algebra System (CAS)
In the Home screen, type the
formula y  mx
b. Make sure
that you use a multiplication sign
between m and x, or the CAS will
consider mx as a single variable.

4.4 Modelling With Formulas • MHR 213

 Subtract b to isolate the term
containing x.

Divide by m to isolate x.
yb
x
m

yb
or x 
m

Key Concepts
䊏 Formulas can be rearranged to isolate different variables.
䊏 To rearrange a formula in terms of a variable,
䊉 isolate the term that contains the variable
䊉 isolate the variable

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Describe the first step you would take to isolate the variable
indicated for each equation.
d
a) v  for d (speed)
t
b) y  mx
b for m (linear relations)
c) A  r2 for r (area of a circle)
C2 Describe any advantages to rearranging a formula before
substituting values.
C3 The formula for the perimeter of a rectangle can be expressed in
more than one way. One way is P  2(l
w). Discuss how you
could manipulate this equation to isolate l. Write down the steps
and include an explanation of each step. Is there more than one
way to do this? Explain.

214 MHR • Chapter 4

Practise
For help with question 1, see Example 1.
1. Rearrange each formula to isolate the variable indicated using pencil
and paper.
a) P  4s for s (perimeter of a square)
b) A  P
I for P (investments)
c) C  2r for r (circumference of a circle)
d) y  mx
b for b (linear relations)

For help with question 2, see Example 2.

2. Rearrange each formula to isolate the variable indicated.
a) d  mt
b for m (distance-time relationships)
b) P  2l
2w for w (perimeter of a rectangle)
v
c) a  for v (acceleration)
t
d
d) v  for t (speed)
t
e) A  r 2 for r (area of a circle)
f) P  I 2R for I (electrical power)

Connect and Apply

3. You can use the formula C  2.5I to obtain an
approximate value for converting a length, I,
in inches to a length, C, in centimetres.
a) Use the formula to find the number of
centimetres in
• 6 inches • 3 feet (1 foot  12 inches)
b) Rearrange the formula to express I in
terms of C.
c) How many inches are in
• 75 cm? • 1 m?

4. Refer to question 3.
a) Plot a graph of C  2.5I, either by hand or using technology Makin
such as a graphing calculator or graphing software. onnections
You learned about linear and
b) Is the graph linear or non-linear? Explain.
non-linear relations in
c) Use the graph to find Chapter 2: Relations.
• the number of centimetres in 8 inches
• the number of inches in 35 cm

5. Refer to questions 3 and 4. Describe one advantage and one

disadvantage of using
a) the equation model b) the graphical model

4.4 Modelling With Formulas • MHR 215

 6. Kwok is a hotel manager. His responsibilities include renting rooms
for conferences. The hotel charges $250 per day plus $15 per person
for the grand ballroom.
a) Create a formula that relates the cost, C, in dollars, of renting the
ballroom to the number of people, n.
b) How much should Kwok charge to rent the hall for
• 50 people?
• 100 people?
c) Rearrange your formula to express n in terms of C.
d) How many people could attend a wedding reception if the
wedding planners have a budget of
• $4000?
• $2000?
e) In part d), is it better to substitute into the original equation or the
rearranged equation? Explain.
f) Is the relationship between cost and number of guests linear or
non-linear? Explain how you can tell.

7. Chapter Problem As Canadian Superstar nears its finale, the judges

have narrowed the competition down to two finalists, Jodie and
Quentin. They have one final performance, and the judges will
award a score out of 10 for each of the following criteria:
• vocal performance, v
• movement, m
• stage presence, p
The formula S  7v
5m
3p will be used to determine each
competitor’s overall score, S.
a) After Jodie’s performance, the judges awarded her scores of 9 for
vocal performance, 7 for movement, and 7 for stage presence.
What is Jodie’s overall score?
b) It is Quentin’s turn. Quentin thinks he can match Jodie on vocal
performance, but will likely score only a 6 on movement. Can
Quentin win the competition? If so, what is the minimum score
he must obtain for stage presence?

8. The area, A, of a square is related to its perimeter, P, by the formula

P2
A
˛

16
a) Rearrange this formula to express P in terms of A.
b) Find the perimeter of a square with area
• 25 cm2 • 50 cm2

216 MHR • Chapter 4

 9. Refer to question 8. Reasoning and Proving
Representing Selecting Tools
a) Solve this problem using a graphing calculator or graphing
Problem Solving
software, by entering the equation shown.
Connecting Reflecting

Communicating

b) Is this a linear or non-linear relation? Explain how you know.

c) Describe two advantages of using an algebraic model to solve this
problem.
d) Describe two advantages of using a graphical model to solve this
problem.

10. The kinetic energy (energy due to motion) of an object depends on Did You Know ?
its mass and how fast it is moving:
The formula in question 10
1 will remind you of Albert
E mv 2
˛˛˛

2 Einstein’s famous equation

In this formula, E  mc2. In 1905, while he
was studying for his Ph.D.
• E is the kinetic energy, in joules
at the University of Zurich
• m is the mass, in kilograms
in Switzerland, Einstein
• v is the speed, in metres per second published several papers which
The following steps show how the formula can be rearranged to revolutionized scientific ideas.
express v in terms of E and m. Copy these steps into your notebook Included in these publications
and write a short explanation beside each one. Some hints are was his discovery that
provided for you. Energy  mass  (speed of light)2.
This property has had huge
Step Explanation implications in many fields. In
1 medicine, it is the basis on
E mv 2 Start with the original formula.
which modern diagnostic
2
imaging scanners work.
2E  mv 2 ________________ both sides of the equation by _______.

2E mv 2

˛˛

m m
2E
 v2
m

2E
 2v 2 Take the ___________ ___________ of both sides.
Bm
˛˛

2E
v
Bm

4.4 Modelling With Formulas • MHR 217

 11. Use the formula in question 10 to solve this problem.
Two koala bears, Rocco and Biff, are wrestling in a meadow, when
suddenly they notice a nice clump of eucalyptus fall to the ground.
Both bears bolt for the tasty treat at the same time. Rocco’s mass is
5 kg and he has 4.2 J of kinetic energy. Biff is half a kilogram heavier
than Rocco, but has 1 J more of kinetic energy.
a) Who will reach the eucalyptus first? Explain how you know.
b) How much more kinetic energy would the slower bear have to
exert for the two bears to reach the eucalyptus at the same time?

12. Sometimes the same formula can have many different forms.
PV  nRT is a useful formula in chemistry. It relates the
characteristics of a gas:
Variable Characteristic

P pressure

V volume

R universal gas constant

n number of moles, or how much gas there is

T temperature

a) Rearrange this formula to isolate each variable. The first one is

done for you as an example:
PV  nRT
PV nRT

V V
nRT
P The formula is rearranged to isolate pressure, P.
V
b) Explain when these forms may be more useful than the form
PV  nRT.

Extend
Makin 13. The area, A, of a square is related to its side length, l, by the formula
onnections A  l 2.
You will explore measurement
a) Express l in terms of A.
relationships in greater depth
in Chapter 8: Measurement b) Graph both formulas using a graphing calculator or graphing
and Chapter 9: Optimization. software.
c) How are the graphs similar?
d) How are they different?

14. The volume, V, of a cube is related to its side length, l, by the

formula V  l 3.
a) Rearrange the formula to express l in terms of V.
b) Graph both formulas and comment on any similarities or
differences you see.

218 MHR • Chapter 4

15. The distance an accelerating object travels is related to its initial
speed, v, its rate of acceleration, a, and time, t:
1
d  vt
at2
2
a) Rearrange this formula to isolate v.
b) An object travels 30 m while accelerating at a rate of 6 m/s2
for 3 s. What was its initial speed?

16. Refer to the formula in question 15.

a) Rearrange the formula to isolate a.
b) What acceleration would be required for the object in question 15
part b) to have travelled twice the distance in the same time interval?

w  10e
17. Math Contest The formula for keyboarding speed (s) is s  ,
t
where e is the number of errors, w is the number of words typed, and
t is the time, in minutes. Solve the formula for e and find the number
of errors made by Saher, who typed 400 words in 5 min, and had a
keyboarding speed of 70 words per minute.

18. Math Contest The period (time for one complete swing back and
forth) p, in seconds, of a pendulum is related to its length, L, in
L
metres, by the formula p  2 , where g  9.8 m/s2 is a constant.
Bg
Solve this formula for L, and find the length needed for the
pendulum to have a period of 1 s.

19. Math Contest The escape velocity (speed needed to escape a planet’s
2GM
gravitational field), in metres per second, is given by v  .
B r
M  5.98  1024 kg is the mass of the Earth,
G  0.000 000 000 066 73 (a constant), and r is the radius
of the orbit. The average radius of Earth is 6.38  106 m.
a) Find the escape velocity for an Earth satellite in kilometres
per second.
b) Solve the formula for M.
c) Find the mass of the planet Mars. Mars has a diameter of
6794 km. A Martian satellite requires an escape velocity of
5 km/s.

4.4 Modelling With Formulas • MHR 219

 Modelling With
4.5 Algebra

Algebra is an efficient way to express

mathematical ideas. Algebraic modelling is
one of many ways to solve a problem. The
best method often depends on the type of
problem and the preference of the problem
solver.

Investigate

How can you use algebraic modelling to solve problems?

1. Work with a partner or in a small group. One person will be the
magician, and the others will be the audience. Have all students
close their textbooks except the magician.

Magician’s Instructions to the Audience

2. Tell the audience to pick a number from 1 to 10 and write it down
so everyone but the magician can see it. Instruct the audience to
carry out the following arithmetic steps, out of view of the
magician.
a) Take the number and double it.
b) Add 50.
c) Triple the result.
d) Subtract 100.
e) Divide this value in half.
f) Write down the final result and show it to the magician. Show
only the final result.

Magician’s Secret Steps to Find the Number

3. Look at the result. Announce the following: “I will now use the
magic of algebra to determine your number!” Add a magic word or
phrase if you like. Try not to let the audience know that you are
doing the following calculations mentally.
a) Subtract 25 from the number you see.
b) Divide by 3. The result is the number the audience picked.
c) Announce the number to the amazement of your audience. Take
a bow!

4. Repeat the magic trick with a different number.

220 MHR • Chapter 4

Time to Reveal the Secret
5. Everyone in the group should now open their books and look at all
of the instructions. As a group, discuss how you think this magic
trick works.

6. Reflect
a) Is this trick really magic? Explain.
b) Will this trick work for numbers greater than 10? What about
negative numbers? Explain.
c) How can you use algebra to create a magic trick of your own?

Example 1 Apply Algebraic Modelling to a Payroll Problem

Mr. Skyvington operates a variety store with his two sons, Jerry
and Koko.
• Jerry makes twice as much as Koko, who only works part-time.
• Mr. Skyvington makes $200 per week more than Jerry.
• The total weekly payroll is $1450.
How much does each family member earn per week?

Solution
Use algebra to model and solve the problem.
Write an expression that describes each person’s earnings. Let k
represent Koko’s earnings.
Worker Expression Explanation

Koko k Koko’s earnings are unknown. Use a table to

Jerry 2k Jerry makes twice as much as Koko. organize your
thinking.
Mr. Skyvington 2k + 200 Mr. Skyvington earns $200 more than Jerry.
Total $1450

Write an equation that relates these expressions to the total payroll.

k
2k
2k
200  1450
Koko’s Jerry’s Mr. Skyvington’s Total payroll
earnings earnings earnings
Solve the equation for k.
k
2k
2k
200  1450
5k
200  1450
5k
200  200  1450  200 Subtract 200 from both sides.
5k  1250
5k 1250
 Divide both sides by 5.
5 5
k  250

4.5 Modelling With Algebra • MHR 221

 The solution k  250 means that Koko earns $250 per week. Substitute into
I can check to see if the other expressions to find how much Jerry and Mr. Skyvington earn.
these answers add to
give the correct total:
Jerry: Mr. Skyvington:
2k 2k
200
Koko: $250
 2(250)  2(250)
200
Jerry: $500
 500  500
200
Mr. Skyvington: $700
Total $1450
Jerry earns $500 per week.  700
Mr. Skyvington earns $700 per week.
The three wages add to
the correct total.

Example 2 Apply Algebraic Modelling to an Earnings Problem

Uma works at a ballpark, selling peanuts. She is paid $6/h plus a 50¢
commission for every bag of peanuts she sells.
a) Find Uma’s earnings if she sells 42 bags of peanuts during a
4-h shift.

b) How many bags of peanuts must she sell to earn $100 in 7 h?

Solution
Literac
onnections a) Uma is paid in two ways:
A wage is a payment that • for the length of time she works (hourly wage)
depends on the length of time • for the number of bags of peanuts she sells (commission)
worked. A commission is a
Write an expression for each. Then, write a formula that models
payment based on the number
Uma’s total earnings.
of items sold or a percent of
total sales. Earnings Variable Expression Explanation

Hourly Wage h 6h Uma makes $6/h.

Commission p 0.5p Uma earns 50¢ per bag of peanuts.

Add wage and commission to get total
Total Earnings E 6h + 0.5p
earnings.

The following formula describes Uma’s earnings:

E  6h
0.5p

Substitute h  4 and p  42 to find Uma’s total earnings.

E  6(4)
0.5(42)
 24
21
 45

Uma earns $45 if she sells 42 bags of peanuts in 4 h.

b) To find the number of bags of peanuts Uma must sell to make $100
in 7 h, rearrange the formula to express p in terms of E and h.

E  6h
0.5p
E  6h  6h
0.5p  6h Subtract 6h from both sides.
E  6h  0.5p

222 MHR • Chapter 4

 Method 1: Divide by 0.5 Method 2: Multiply by 2
E  6h  0.5p E  6h  0.5p I can also solve for p
E  6h 0.5p 2(E  6h)  2(0.5)p by multiplying by 2,
 2(E  6h)  p 1
0.5 0.5 because 0.5 is —.
E  6h or p  2(E  6h) 2  0.5p  p
2
p
0.5 Substitute E  100 and h  7.
E  6h p  2[(100)  6(7)]
or p 
0.5  2(100  42)
 2(58)
Substitute E  100 and h  7.
 116
100  6(7)
p
0.5
100  42

0.5
58

0.5
 116

Uma must sell 116 bags of peanuts to earn $100 in a 7-h shift.

E  6h
Compare these two equations: p  and p  2(E  6h).
0.5

These are equivalent equations. Why do you think the second

equation may be a little easier to use?

Example 3 Compare Algebraic Modelling With Other Strategies

Tan is designing a Japanese rock garden in the shape of a right triangle

so that the second-shortest side is twice the length of the shortest side.
The area of the garden must be 30 m2. What are the three side lengths
of Tan’s garden, to the nearest tenth?

Solution
Method 1: Algebraic Model
The garden is in the shape of a right triangle. The second-shortest side H
is twice the length of the shortest side. x

Let x represent the shortest side and 2x the second-shortest side.

2x
Let H represent the hypotenuse.

4.5 Modelling With Algebra • MHR 223

 Apply the formula for the area of a triangle.
1
A bh
2
H 1
x 30  (2x)(x) Substitute b  2x and h  x.
2
1
2x 30  (2x2)
2
30  x2
230  2x2 Take the square root of both sides.

 x
5.48 
The length of the shortest side is 5.5 m, to the nearest tenth. Double
this to find the length of the second-shortest side.
2x
 2(5.5)
 11
The two shorter sides are 5.5 m and 11 m. Apply the Pythagorean
theorem to find the hypotenuse.

The algebraic model H 2  5.52
112

shows how measurement, H 2  30.25
121
algebra, and the H 2  151.25
Pythagorean Theorem are
all connected. That’s cool! 2H 2  2151.25
˛˛˛˛˛˛ Take the square root of both sides.
H  12.3

The three side lengths of Tan’s garden are 5.5 m, 11 m, and 12.3 m.
Method 2: Construct a Graphical Model With The Geometer’s Sketchpad®
Open a new sketch and construct a right triangle that meets the
requirements.
• Construct a horizontal line segment AB.
Technology Tip
Hold the Shift key down
while you drag to make
vertical and horizontal line
segments.

Remember to deselect
before making new
selections. You can deselect
by clicking anywhere in the
white space with the
Selection Arrow Tool.

• Select point A. From the Transform menu, choose Mark Center.

• Select line segment AB and point B. From the Transform menu,
choose Dilate. Dilate the segment in the ratio 1:2. Click on Dilate.

224 MHR • Chapter 4

• Select AB′. From the Transform menu, choose Rotate. Rotate the
segment and point by 90°. Click on Rotate.
• Construct a segment that connects B and B″.

Measure the lengths of the three sides and verify that the two shorter
sides are in the ratio 1:2.
• Select the three sides and, from the Measure menu, choose Length.
• From the Measure menu, choose Calculate. Divide the longer
measure by the shorter measure.

Next, measure the area of the triangle.

• Select the three vertices, and from the Construct menu, choose
Triangle Interior.
• From the Measure menu, choose Area.

Once I set up a
geometric model with
The Geometer’s Sketchpad®,
I can explore all kinds of
relationships. I wonder how
perimeter and area are
related in this type of
triangle.

• Adjust the size of the triangle so that its area is as close to 30 cm2 as
possible. Select and drag any of the vertices. Verify that the triangle
has the following properties:
it is a right triangle
the second-shortest side is twice the length of the shortest side
The lengths of the three sides give the dimensions of Tan’s garden. The
measures are in centimetres in the sketch, but Tan’s garden is
measured in metres. The lengths of the three sides of Tan’s garden are
5.5 m, 11 m, and 12 m.

4.5 Modelling With Algebra • MHR 225

 Key Concepts
䊏 Algebraic modelling is one method that can be used to describe
mathematical situations and solve problems.
䊏 Many problems can be solved using more than one method.

Communicate Your Understanding

C1 Rufio is 5 years older than his sister, Hanna. The sum of their ages
is 37. Which equation can you use to find their ages? Explain why.
A 5h  37 B h
5h  37
C h
5  37 D h
(h
5)  37

C2 One summer, Brittany had a paper route and a babysitting job. She
made twice as much money babysitting as she did delivering
papers. Altogether she made $800 that summer. Which equation
can you use to find how much Brittany earned delivering papers?
Explain.
A 2p  800 B p
2p  800
C p
2  800 D p
(p
2)  800

C3 Asraf sells computers. He is paid $12/h, plus a 10% commission on

sales. Which expression describes Asraf’s total earnings? Explain.
A 12h
0.1 B 12
0.1s
C 12h
0.1s D 12h
10s

Practise
For help with questions 1 to 5, see Examples 1 and 2.
1. Write an algebraic expression to represent each description.
a) triple a number
b) four more than a number
c) half a number
d) five less than double a number

2. Write an equation to represent each sentence. Explain your choice of

Literac variable and what it represents in each case.
onnections
a) four times a number is 112
Consecutive means one after
the other. For example: b) a perimeter increased by 12 is 56
• 3, 4, and 5 are consecutive c) five more than triple a number is 29
integers
• q, r, and s are consecutive d) the sum of two consecutive integers is 63
letters

226 MHR • Chapter 4

 3. Solve each equation in question 2, and explain what the answer
means.

4. Estaban is 6 years older than his brother Raoul. The sum of their ages
is 38. How old are the brothers?

5. Two friends enter a trivia challenge as a team. Fayth scored 200 more
points than Jamal. As a team, they collected a total of 2250 points.
How many points did each friend earn?

Connect and Apply

6. Natalie, Chantal, and Samara play together as a forward line on a
hockey team. At the end of the season, Chantal had scored eight
more goals than Natalie, while Samara had scored twice as many
goals as Natalie. The three girls scored a total of 52 goals. How many
goals did each girl score?

7. Kyle sells used cars. He is paid $14/hour plus an 8% commission on

sales. What dollar amount of car sales must Kyle make to earn $1200
in a 38-h work week?

8. Chapter Problem At the season finale, you present the winner of Did You Know ?
Canadian Superstar with a recording-and-tour contract. The contract
states that the winner will be paid $5000 per month while on tour In March 2003, Dark Side of
the Moon, by Pink Floyd,
plus $2 per CD sold.
achieved double diamond
a) Write an equation that relates total earnings in terms of the status in Canada for selling
number of months, m, on tour and the number, n, of CDs sold. over 2 000 000 units.
b) How much will the winner earn after the first month if 500 CDs
are sold?
c) Suppose after the third month on tour the new recording artist
has earned a total of $74 000. How many CDs were sold?
d) In Canada, a record album or CD achieves gold status once it sells
50 000 units. How much will the artist make if the CD goes gold
after 6 months of touring?

9. The sum of three consecutive integers is 54. Find the numbers.

10. The sum of two consecutive even integers is 134. Find the numbers.

11. A circular garden has a diameter of 12 m. By how much should the

diameter be increased to triple the area of the garden?

12. Refer to question 11.

a) Solve the problem using a different method.
b) Compare the two methods. Identify at least one advantage and
one disadvantage of each approach.

4.5 Modelling With Algebra • MHR 227

 13. The length of Laurie’s rectangular swimming pool is triple its width.
The pool covers an area of 192 m2.

a) If Laurie swims across the diagonal and back, how far does she
travel?
b) At the same time Laurie starts swimming, her cat walks one lap
3
around the edge of the pool. Laurie can swim as fast as her cat
4
can walk. Who will return to the starting point first? Justify your
answer.

14. Refer to the magic trick in the Investigate. Create a magic trick of
your own. Try your trick out on a friend or family member.

Achievement Check
15. Paloma works part-time, 4 h per day, selling fitness club
memberships. She is paid $9/h, plus a $12 commission for
each 1-year membership she sells.
a) Write an algebraic expression that describes Paloma’s total
earnings.
b) Find the amount Paloma makes in 8 h when she sells seven
memberships.
c) How many memberships does Paloma need to sell to earn $600 in
a 24-h workweek?
d) Paloma notices that her sales have a pattern: for the first 12 h of
the week she sells an average of two memberships per hour and
for the last 12 h of the week she sells an average of three
memberships per hour. Use an organized method (e.g., chart,
graph, equations) to determine when Paloma will reach a special
$900 earnings goal.

Extend
16. A checkerboard has 64 congruent squares.
Suppose a checkerboard has a diagonal
length of 40 cm. Find the area of each
square on the board.

228 MHR • Chapter 4

17. Johnny is directly in front of Dougie, who is playing
goalie, as shown.
Johnny is 2.8 m from both goal posts. He is also three
times as far from Dougie as Dougie is from either post.
a) How wide is the net?
b) Describe how you solved this problem.
c) Discuss any assumptions you had to make.

18. Johannes Kepler (15711630) was a German astronomer who

noticed a pattern in the orbits of planets. The table shows data for
the planets known when Kepler was alive.
Planet Radius of Orbit (AU)* Period of Orbit (Earth Days)

Mercury 0.389 87.77

Venus 0.724 224.70

Earth 1.0 365.25

Mars 1.524 686.98

Jupiter 5.200 4332.62

Saturn 9.150 10759.20

*AU, or astronomical unit, is the mean distance from Earth to the Sun, 1.49  108 km.

a) Kepler conjectured that the square of the period divided by the

cube of the radius is a constant. Copy the table. Add another
column and compute the value of the square of the period
divided by the cube of the radius for each planet. Then, find the
mean of these values to find Kepler’s constant.
b) Write a formula for the relationship that Kepler found. This is
called Kepler’s Third Law.
c) In 1781, William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus, which
has a period of 30 588.70 days. Use Kepler’s Third Law to
determine the radius of Uranus’s orbit.
d) In 1846, the planet Neptune was discovered. Neptune’s orbital
radius is 30 AU. Use Kepler’s Third Law to find the orbital period
of Neptune.
e) The planet Pluto has an orbital radius of 39.5 AU and a period of
90 588 days. Does Pluto satisfy Kepler’s Third Law? Explain.
f) Investigate Kepler’s other two laws of planetary motion. Write a
brief report of your findings.

19. Math Contest The mass of a banana plus its peel is 360 g. The mass
of the banana is four times the mass of the peel. What is the mass of
the peel?

20. Math Contest Given that y  4x
1 and z  5x  3, and the value

of z is 7, what is the value of y?
A 2 B 9 C 2 D 9 E 29

4.5 Modelling With Algebra • MHR 229

Chapter 4 Review

6. Solve using a Computer Algebra System.

4.1 Solve Simple Equations, pages 186195
a) 5
4y  2y
9
1. Solve using pencil and paper.
b) 7
3k  2  4k
a) 8
m  2
c) 2w  9
5w
2  0
b) k  7  11
d) 5
7n  9n
11
c) 3x  18
h 7. Find the root of each equation using pencil
d)  4
5 and paper. Check each solution.
a) 4  (3p  2)  p  10
2. Find the root of each equation using pencil
b) 3
(h  2)  5
3h
and paper. Check each answer.
c) 2(n  8)  4(2n  1)
a) 2y  7  13
d) 3(2k  5)  k  4  (3k
7)
b) 4
5v  21
c) 9  2x  1 8. A triangle has angle measures that are
d) 3s  6  9 related as follows:
• the largest angle is eight times the smallest
3. Find the root of each equation using a angle
Computer Algebra System. Check each • the middle angle is triple the smallest
answer. angle
a) 3n
8  20
3x
b) 9  4r  27
c) 5x  2  18 8x x

d) 7y  6  20 Find the measures of the angles.

4. Cindy has $2.50 to spend on milk and

candy. The milk costs $0.70. Her favourite 4.3 Solve Equations Involving Fractions,
candies cost $0.12 each. pages 204210
a) Write an equation that models the 9. Find the root of each equation using pencil
number of candies that Cindy can afford. and paper. Check each solution.
b) Solve the equation. 1
a) (x  1) 4
3
4.2 Solve Multi-Step Equations, pages 196203 b4
b)  5
5. Solve using pencil and paper. 3
a) 3
2m
6m  19 3
c) 3  (p  1)
4
b) 7w  4
w
12  0
c) 3x
7  2x  3
5x
4
d) 3 
7
d) 5w  6  4w
3

230 MHR • Chapter 4

10. Find the root of each equation using a
4.5 Modelling With Algebra, pages 220229
Computer Algebra System. Check each root.
14. The total of three sisters’ ages is 39. Dina is
6q
8 half as old as Michelle and 3 years younger
a) 7 
4 than Juliette. How old are the sisters?
1
b) (u  5)  2u
5 15. Sven sells hamburgers at a ballpark. He
2
earns $7.50/h, plus $0.40 for each
11. Find the solution to each equation. hamburger he sells.
y8 y
4 a) How much will Sven earn in a 3-h shift
a)  if he sells 24 hamburgers?
3 2
b) How many hamburgers must Sven sell
2 3
b) (w  5)  (w
2) to earn $100 in a 6.5-h shift?
3 4
c
3 c5 16. Hitori’s rock garden is in the shape of a
c)  trapezoid. The garden has an area of 60 m2
4 6
and a depth of 8 m. The front width is
2 1
d) (x
3)  (x  5) double the back width.
5 2

4.4 Modelling With Formulas, pages 211219

12. Rearrange each formula to isolate the h=8m
variable indicated. A = 60 m2

a) P  a
b
c for a (perimeter of a
triangle)
b) C  d for d (circumference of
a circle)
F Without changing the front or back widths,
c) a  for F (force) by how much must Hitori increase the
m
depth of his garden to double its area?
d) d  mt
b for t (distance-time
relationships) 17. Refer to question 16.

13. The power, P, in an electric circuit is related a) Solve this problem using a different
to the current, I, and resistance, R, by the method.
formula P  I 2R. b) Compare the methods. Describe at least
a) Find the power, in watts (W), when the one advantage and one disadvantage of
current is 0.5 A (amperes) and the each approach.
resistance is 600  (ohms).
b) What is the resistance of a circuit that uses
500 W of power with a current of 2 A?
c) The resistance in a circuit is 4 . The
same circuit uses 100 W of power. Find
the current in the circuit.

Chapter 4 Review • MHR 231

 Chapter 4 Practice Test

Multiple Choice Short Response

For questions 1 to 4, select the best answer. Show all steps to your solutions.
1. Which is the correct solution for 5. Solve. Express any fractional answers in
x  2  4? lowest terms.
A x  6 a) y  11  2
B x  2 h
b)  3
C x2 7
D x6 c) 3k
5  14
d) 5x  7  8
2x
2. k  3 is the correct solution for which
equation? e) 7r  3(r  2)

A 2k  5  1 f) 2y
(y  3)  4(y  5)

B k36 6. Find the root of each equation.

C 3k  3  6 1
a) (2w  6)  8
D 4k
1  11 3
3a  7 4a
5
3. The speed-distance-time relationship for an b) 
4 3
object moving at a constant speed is
3k k
3 k
2
d c)  8
described by the formula s  . Which of 2 3 4
t
the following correctly describes d in terms 7. The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is
of s and t? given by the formula P  2a
b, where
t a is the length of each of the equal sides
A d and b is the length of the third side.
s
s
B d
t
C d  st a a
D dst

4. Anthony is 4 years older than his brother

b
Felix. The sum of their ages is 42. Which
equation can you use to find their ages? a) Rearrange the formula to isolate b.
A 4f  42 b) Rearrange the formula to isolate a.
B 4f
f  42 c) An isosceles triangle has a perimeter of
C f
f
4  42 43 cm. The length of the two equal sides
is unknown, but the third side length is
D 4f
f
4  42
18 cm. What is the length of each of the
equal sides?

232 MHR • Chapter 4

Extended Response 10. Murray works at a cell phone service kiosk
Provide complete solutions. in a shopping mall. He earns $8.50/h, plus a
$15 commission for each 1-year service
8. Charlene earns $150 more per week than her contract he sells.
roommate Kristi and $100 less than her
a) Find the amount Murray makes in 8 h
other roommate, Sacha. Together the three
when he sells seven service contracts.
friends earn $2050 per week. How much
does each girl earn per week? b) How many service contracts does Murray
need to sell to earn $790 in a 40-h work
9. Solve and check. week?
8  2(2p  3)  6  (p
3)

Chapter Problem Wrap-Up

The first season of Canadian Superstar is a wrap! Will

there be a second season? The sponsors use a weighted
rating system that factors in the audience demographic
(who watches the show). Their research suggests that the
viewing audience is made up of 50% girls, 30% boys, and
20% adult viewers. The formula for the show’s weighted
rating score, R, is

5g
3b
2a
R
10
• g represents the girls’ average rating of the show, out
of 10.
• b represents the boys’ average rating of the show, out
of 10.
• a represents the adults’ average rating of the show, out
of 10.

The sponsors agree to pick up the show for a second

season if the first season earns a weighted rating of 8 or
better. Part of the ratings have been recorded in a table:

Viewers Girls Boys Adults

Average Rating not available 7.4 8.1

The girls’ ratings have not yet been recorded, but early feedback suggests
that the show was significantly more popular with girls than with boys
and adults. Do you think that there will be a second season? Justify your
reasoning. What minimum girls’ average rating is necessary to ensure a
second season?

Chapter 4 Practice Test • MHR 233