Elementary Algebra

First Quarter

Linear Equations and Applications

 Lesson 1: Linear Equations in One Variable

Objectives
1. Decide whether a number is a solution of a linear
equation.
2. Solve linear equations using the addition and
multiplication properties of equality.
3. Solve linear equations using the distributive
property.
4. Solve linear equations with fractions or decimals.
5. Identify conditional equations, contradictions,
and identities.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Algebraic Expressions vs. Equations

Below are example of algebraic expressions:

a
– 9y + 5, 10k, and
- 7b2c5
Equations are statements that two algebraic
expressions are equal:

3x – 13 = 29, 2 + y = – 11, and 3m = 4m – 2

An equation always contains an equals sign, but an

expression does not.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Linear Equations in One Variable

Linear Equation in One Variable

A linear equation in one variable can be written in the

form Ax + B = C
where A, B, and C are real numbers, with A =/ 0.

A linear equation is also called a first-degree

equation since the greatest power on the
variable is one.

5x + 10 = 13
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Linear Equations in One Variable

Determine whether the following equations are

linear or nonlinear.

8x + 3 = –9 Yes, x is raised to the first power.

3 No, x is not raised to the first

9x – 8 = 15 power.
7 = –12 No, x is not raised to the first
x power.

x − 4 = 16 No, x is not raised to the first

power.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Deciding Whether a Number is a Solution

If a variable can be replaced by a real number that
makes the equation a true statement, then that
number is a solution of the equation, x – 10 = 3.

13 is a solution 8 is not a solution

13 8

x – 10 = 3 x – 10 = 3

13 – 10 = 3 (true) 8 – 10 = 3 (false)
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Finding the Solution Set of an Equation

An equation is solved by finding its solution set
– the set of all solutions.

The solution set of x – 10 = 3 is {13}.

Equivalent equations are equations that have

the same solution set. These are equivalent
equations since they all have solution set {–3}.

3x + 5 = –4 3x = –9 x = –3
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Solving Linear Equations

An equation is like a balance scale, comparing
the weights of two quantities.
Expression-1 = Expression-2

We apply properties to produce a series of simpler

equivalent equations to determine the solution set.

Variable = Solution
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Addition Property of Equality

The same number may be added to both sides of
an equation without changing the solution set.

A=B

A = B

A + C = B+C
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable

Multiplication Property of Equality

Each side of an equation may be multiplied by
the same nonzero number without changing the
solution set.
A=B

A = B

AC = BC
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality

Addition Property of Equality

For all real numbers A, B, and C, the equation
A = B and A + C = B + C
are equivalent.

Multiplication Property of Equality

For all real numbers A, B, and for C = 0,/ the equation
A = B and A C = B C
are equivalent.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Addition and Multiplication Properties of Equality

Because subtraction and division are defined in

terms of addition and multiplication,

we can extend the addition and multiplication

properties of equality as follows:

The same number may be subtracted from each side of an

equation, and each side of an equation may be divided by
the same nonzero number, without changing the solution
set.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations in One Variable

Step 1 Clear fractions. Eliminate any fractions by multiplying

each side by the least common denominator.
Step 2 Simplify each side separately. Use the distributive
property to clear parentheses and combine like terms
as needed.
Step 3 Isolate the variable terms on one side. Use the
addition property to get all terms with variables on one
side of the equation and all numbers on the other.
Step 4 Isolate the variable. Use the multiplication property to
get an equation with just the variable (with coefficient of
1) on one side.
Step 5 Check. Substitute the proposed solution into the
original equation.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

Solve 3x + 2 = 10.

3x + 2 = 10
3x + 2 – 2 = 10 – 2 Subtract 2.
3x = 8
Combine like terms.
3x 8
=
3 3 Divide by 3.
8
x= Proposed solution.
3
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

3x + 2 = 10

3 • 8 + 2 = 10
Check by substituting the proposed
solution back into the original equation.
3
Since the value of each side is 10, the
8 + 2 = 10 proposed solution is correct.

 8 .
The solution set is  
3
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

Solve 2x – 5 = 5x – 2.
2x – 5 = 5x – 2
2x – 5 – 5x = 5x – 2 – 5x
Subtract 5x.
–3x – 5 = –2
Combine like terms.
–3x – 5 + 5= –2 + 5
Add 5.
–3x = 3 Combine like terms.
−3x 3
= Divide by –3.
3 −3
x = –1 Proposed solution.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

Check by substituting the

proposed solution back into
2x – 5 = 5x – 2 the original equation.

2(–1) – 5 = 5(–1) – 2
Since the value of each
–2 – 5 = –5 – 2 side is –7 , the proposed
solution is correct.
–7 = –7
The solution set is {–1}.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

Solve 5(2x + 3) = 3 – 2(3x – 5).

5(2x + 3) = 3 – 2(3x – 5)
10x + 15 = 3 – 6x + 10 Distributive Prop.

10x + 15 – 15 = 3 – 6x + 10 – 15 Add –15.

10x = – 6x – 2 Collect like terms.

10x + 6x = –6x – 2 + 6x Add 6x.

16x = –2 Collect like terms.

 2.1 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

16x = –2

16 x −2 Divide by 16.
=
16 16
1
x=− Proposed solution.
8
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations

Check proposed solution:

5 ( 2 x + 3) = 3 − 2 ( 3 x − 5 )  22   43 
5  = 3 − 2 − 
 8   8 
  1    1  110 86
5  2  −  + 3 = 3 − 2 3  −  − 5  = 3+
  8    8  8 8
 2   3  110 24 86
5  − + 3 = 3 − 2  − − 5  = +
 8   8  8 8 8
 2 24   3 40  110 110
5 − +  = 3 − 2 − −  = Checks
 8 8  8 8 8 8
 1
The solution set set is −  .
 8
 2.1 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations with Fractions

2x +1 1 x − 3
Solve = + .
2 3 4

 2x +1  1 x −3
12   = 12  +  Clear fractions.
 2   3 4 
6 ( 2 x + 1) = 4 + 3 ( x − 3) Distributive property.
12 x + 6 = 4 + 3x − 9 Distributive property.
12 x + 6 − 3x = 4 + 3x − 9 − 3x Add − 3x.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations with Fractions

continued
12 x + 6 − x = 4 + 3x − 9 − 3x
9 x + 6 = −5 Collect like terms.
9 x + 6 − 6 = −5 − 6 Add − 6.
9 x = −11 Collect like terms
9 x −11
= Divide by 9.
9 9
11
x=− Proposed solution.
9
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations with Decimals

Solve 1.5 ( x + 2) = 2.8 + x .

1.5 ( x + 2 ) = 2.8 + x
15 ( x + 2 ) = 28 + 10 x Multiply by 10.
15 x + 30 = 28 + 10 x Distributive property.
15 x + 30 − 10 x = 28 + 10 x − 10 x Add − 10 x.
5 x + 30 = 28 Collect like terms.
5 x + 30 − 30 = 28 − 30 Add − 30.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Solving Linear Equations with Decimals

continued

5 x + 30 − 30 = 28 − 30
5 x = −2 Collect like terms.
5 x −2
= Divide by 5.
5 5
2
x=− Proposed solution.
5
 2
The solution set is −  .
 5
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Conditional, Contradiction, and Identity Equations

Linear equations can have exactly one solution,

no solution, or an infinite number of solutions.
Type of Linear Number of Solutions Indication When
Equation Solving

Conditional One Final results is

x = a number.

Identity Infinite; solution set Final line is true,

{all real numbers} such as 5 = 5.

Contradiction None; solution set is Final line is false,

. such as –3 = 11.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Conditional, Contradiction, and Identity Equations

A contradiction has no solutions.

Solve x + 7 = x + 2.
x+7 = x+2
x+7−7 = x+2−7 Adding − 7.
x = x −5 Collecting like terms.
x − x = x −5− x Add − x.
0 = −5 Collecting like terms.

Since 0 = –5 is never true, and this equation is equivalent

to x + 7 = x + 2, the solution set is empty.
 Using Linear Equations of One Variable
Conditional, Contradiction, and Identity Equations

An identity has an infinite number of solutions.

Solve 2x + 2 = 2 ( x + 1) .
2 x + 2 = 2 ( x + 1)
2x + 2 = 2x + 2 Distributive property.
2x + 2 − 2 = 2x + 2 − 2 Adding − 2.
2x = 2x Collecting like terms.
2x − 2x = 2x − 2x Adding − 2 x.
0=0 Collecting like terms.
Since 0 = 0 is always true, and this equation is equivalent
to 2x + 2 = 2(x + 1), the solution set is all real numbers.