Chapter 2

Equations of Straight Lines

An equation is a statement that says that two expressions are equal.
For example: 4 + 5 = 9 (true), 3 + 8 = 7 (false)

2.1 Linear Equations in One Variable

A linear equation in one variable is an equation of the form ax + b = c , where a , b and c are
constants with a  0 and x is a variable.

Examples:
2x + 3 = 5 is a linear equation in x
−7 y = −4 is a linear equation in y
−3z + 2 = −1.5 is a linear equation in z .

Example 2.1
Solve the following equations: (a) 2x + 5 = 3 , (b) 5x − 5 = 7 , (c) 3x = 10 and (d) 2.5x + 4 = 3 .
Solution
(a) 2 x + 5 = 3  2 x = 3 − 5  2 x = −2  x = −1
(b) 5 x − 5 = 7  5 x = 7 + 5  5 x = 12  x = 12 / 5
(c) 3x = 10  x = 10 / 3
(d) 2.5 x + 4 = 3  2.5 x = 3 − 4  2.5 x = −1  x = −1/ 2.5

Example 2.2
Solve the equation: 6 x − 4 ( x −1) = 2 ( x + 1) + 3x .
Solution
6 x − 4 ( x − 1) = 2 ( x + 1) + 3x
 6 x − 4 x + 4 = 2 x + 2 + 3x
 3x = 2
 x = 2/3

Example 2.3
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Solve the following equation: x − 8 = −5 .
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Solution
5
x − 8 = −5
6
5 18
 x=3 x=
6 5

2.2 Inequalities in One Variable

x is less than or equal to 3 . This is represented as x  3 .
x is greater than or equal to 5. This is represented as x  5 .
x is less than 4. This is represented as x  4 .
x is greater than 10. This is represented as x  10 .
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Example 2.4
Graph the following inequalities: (a) 2x + 5  8 (b) −3x − 4  6 (c) x + 4  3

(a)
Graph of 2x+5>=8

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

(b)
Graph of -3x-4<=6

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

(c)

Graph of x+4<=3

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Example 2.5
5 ( F − 32 )
Given the equation C = which expresses temperature in degrees Celsius ( C ) ,
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given the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit ( F ) . Solve for F in terms of C .

Solution
5 ( F − 32 ) 9
C=  9C = 5F − 160  F = C + 32
9 5
2.3 Linear Equations in Two Variables
The equation of the form ax + by = c is called a linear equation in two variables x and y ,
where a , b and c are constants. We may assume that a  0, b  0 . Note that ax + by = c
represents the equation of a straight line.

Examples
5 x − 8 y = 10 is a linear equation in variables x and y .
7 y + 3z − 4 = 0 is a linear equation in y and z .

Example 2.6
Draw the graph of the following linear equations: (a) 3 x + 2 y = 6 and (b) 2 x − 4 y = 8 .
Solution
(a)

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 12
3x+2y=6 10

0
-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
-2

-4

-6

(b)

2 2x-4y=8

0
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
-1

-2

-3

2.4 Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

The inequalities of the form ax + by  c or ax + by  c ( a , b , c constants and a  0, b  0 )

are called linear inequalities in two variables x and y .
Examples:
3 x + 4 y  7 is a linear inequality in x and y .
5 x − 7 y  10 is a linear inequality in x and y .
8 x + 2 y  4 is a linear inequality in x and y .
Example 2.7
Draw the graph of the following linear inequalities: (a) 2 x + 3 y  9 and (b) −5 x + 8 y  40 .
(a) Graph of 2 x + 3 y  9 is the shaded region.

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 2x+3y=9 6

0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1

(b) Graph of 3 x − 4 y  8 is the shaded region

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-5x+8y=40
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

2.5 Straight Lines and the Slope of a Line

The linear equation of the form y = mx + c ( m , c constants and m  0 ) represents the
equation of a straight line. The constant m is called the slope of the straight line and c is
called the intercept of the straight line.

Example 2.8
y = 2 x + 4 is the equation of a straight line with slope m = 2 and intercept c = 4 . The graph
of y = 2 x + 4 is as follows:

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 25.0

20.0

15.0 y = 2x + 4

10.0

5.0

0.0
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10
-5.0

Example 2.9
Draw the graph of y = − x + 16 .
Solution

20.0

18.0
16.0

14.0
12.0

10.0 y = -x + 16
8.0

6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
-4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

2.5.1 Straight Line Passing Through Two Points

Suppose the equation of a straight line is y = mx + c and it passes through two points ( x1 , y1 )
and ( x2 , y2 ) . Then
y1 = mx1 + c.......(1)
y2 = mx2 + c.......(2)
y −y y − y2
Subtracting (2) from (1), we have m = 2 1 . We may also express m as 1 .
x2 − x1 x1 − x2
Now from (1) or (2), substituting for m , we may ontain the expression for c as follows.
y x − y2 x1 x y −x y
c= 1 2 . We may also express this as c = 1 2 2 1 .Therefore, for any two points
x2 − x1 x1 − x2
( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) , the equation passess through these points is given by
y −y x y −x y
y = 1 2 x+ 1 2 2 1 ,
x1 − x2 x1 − x2
which may be simplified as

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 y − y2 x − x2
=
y1 − y2 x1 − x2
Example 2.10
Find the equation of a straight line passing through the points ( 2,3) and ( 4,6 ) .
Solution
y−6 x−4 3
Taking ( x1 , y1 ) = (2,3) and ( x2 , y2 ) = (4,6) , we have =  y = x.
3−6 2−4 2
Example 2.11
Find the equation of a straight line passing through the points ( 6,8) and ( 4,14 ) .
Solution
y − 14 x − 4
Taking ( x1 , y1 ) = (6,8) and ( x2 , y2 ) = (4,14) , we have =  y = −3x + 26 .
8 − 14 6 − 4

2.5.2 The Equation of a Straight Line Passing Through a Given Point ( x1 , y1 ) and a
Given Slope m

This is known as point-slope method.

Example 2.12
Find the equation of a straight line passing through ( 7,9 ) and with slope m = 4 .
Solution
We have y = 4 x + c  9 = 28 + c  c = −19. Therefore, y = 4 x − 19 .
Example 2.13
Find the equation of a straight line passing through the points ( 3, 2 ) and ( 3,5 ) .
(Complete as a Home Work)

Applied Problems:
Example 2.14
Rich bought a computer system for his home business for P5 500. The system will have a
value of P0.00 after 5 years.
(a) Write the linear equation that relates the value of the computer system in Pula to its
age in years.
(b) What is the value of the system after 3 years?
Solution
(a) Here the points are ( x1 , y1 ) = (0,5500) and ( x2 , y2 ) = (5, 0) . Therefore, the equation is
given by
y−0 x −5
=  y = −1100 x + 5500 .
5500 − 0 0 − 5
(b) The value of the system after 3 years will be y = −1100  3 + 5500 = P 2200
Example 2.15
John buys an apartment building for P150 000. He expects it to be worth P30 000 after 30
years.
(a) What is the linear equation that states the value of the building in Pula given its age in
years?
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 (b) What is the value of the building after 20 years?
(Complete as a Home Work)
Example 2.16
A company determines that the profit ( p ) in Pula and the advertising expenditure ( e ) in
Pula have a linear relationship. There is a P7 000 profit when advertising expenditure is P1
000. The profit is P5 000 when there is no advertisement.

(a) Find an equation of linear relationship.

(b) Find the profit when advertisement expenditure is P1 200.
Solution
We have p = m  e + c  7000 = m  1000 + c . But, it is given that c = 5000 . Therefore,
m = 2. Thus the equation is p = 2  e + 5000 .
When the advertisement expenditure is P1200, the profit will be 2 1200 + 5000 = P7400 .

2.6 Literal Equations

Equations in which some of the constants are not specified, but are represented by letters,
such as a, b, c or d , are called literal equations,and the letters are called literal constants.
For example,
(i) in the literal equation x + a = 4b , we may consider a and b to be literal
constants.
(ii) formula’s such as I = P r t , that express a relationship between certailn
quantities may be regarded as literal equations.
If we awant to express a particular letter in a formula in terms of the others , this letter is
considered the unknown.

Example 2.6.1 The equation I = P r t is the formula for the simple interest on a
principal of P pulas at the annual interest rate of r for a period of t years. Express r in terms
of I , P and t .
Here we consider r being the unknown. To isolate r , we eliminate P and t by
dividing both sides by Pt . Thus we have,
I = Prt
I Prt
=
Pt Pt
I
= r
Pt
I
or r = .
Pt
u
Example 2.6.2 If s = , express u in terms of the remaining letters.
au + v

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 u
s=
au + v
s ( au + v) = u
sau + sv = u
sau − u = − sv
u ( sa − 1) = − sv
− sv
u=
sa − 1
sv
u=
1 − sa
2.7 Quadratic Equation

A quadratic equation in the variable x is an equation that can be written in the form
ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ,
where a ,b, and c are constants and a  0. A quadratic equation is also called a second
degree equation or an equation of degree two, since the highest power of the variable that
occurs is two. Whereas a linear equation has only one root, a quadratic equation may
have two different roots.

2.7.1 Solving a quadratic equation by factoring

Example 2.7.1 Solve x 2 + x − 12 = 0
Factorizing the left hand side we get ( x − 3)( x + 4) = 0 .
This means that either ( x − 3) = 0 or ( x + 4) = 0 .Solving these gives x = 3 and x = −4 ,
respectively. Thus the roots of the original equations are 3 and -4 and the solution set is {-4,
3}.
Example 2.7.2 Solve 6w 2 = 5w
We write this equation as 6 w 2 − 5w = 0 .Factoring gives w(6 w − 5) = 0. Setting each factor
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equal to zero, we have w = 0 or 6w − 5 = 0 .That is , w = 0 or w = .
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Example 2.7.3 Solve 3x 2 − x − 4 = −2
Rewriting this equation we get, 3x 2 − x − 2 = 0 . Factorizing we have
−2
(3x + 2)( x − 1) = 0. Solving for x , we get x = ,1.
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Example 2.7.4 Solve 4 x − 4 x 3 = 0
4x − 4x3 = 0
Factoring 4x, 4 x(1 − x 2 ) = 0

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Factoring 1 − x 2 , 4 x(1 − x)(1 + x) = 0 . Setting each term is equal to zero, as 4≠0, we get
x = 0 , x = −1 and x = 1 .

2.7.2 Solving a quadratic equation by formula

The roots of the quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , where a ,b, and c are constants and

− b  b 2 − 4ac
a  0, are given by x = .
2a
Example 2.7.5 Solve 4 x 2 − 17 x + 15 = 0
Here a = 4, b = −17 and c = 15 . Thus,

− b  b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a
− (−17)  (−17) 2 − 4(4)(15)
=
2(4)
17  49 17  7
= =
8 8
17 + 7 24 17 − 7 10 5
The roots are = = 3 and = =
8 8 8 8 4
Example 2.7.5 Solve 2 + 6 2 y + 9 y 2 = 0

Here a = 9, b = 6 2 and c = 2 . Thus,

− b  b 2 − 4ac
y=
2a
− 6 2  (6 2 ) 2 − 4(9)( 2)
=
2(9)
− 6 2  72 − 72 − 6 2 − 0 2
= = =−
18 18 3
2
The only root is − .
3
1 9
Example 2.7.6 Solve 6
+ 3 +8 = 0
x x
This is a quadratic form equation which can be reduced to a quadratic equation by
1
setting w = .
x3

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 1 9
6
+ 3 +8 = 0
x x
1 2 1
 ( 3 ) + 9( 3 ) + 8 = 0
x x
Thus  w + 9w + 8 = 0
2

 ( w + 8)( w + 1) = 0
 w = −8 or w = −1
1 1
Returning to the variable x, we have = −8 or = −1
x3 x3
1
 x3 = − or x 3 = −1
8
1
x=− or x = −1
2

Example 2.7.7 Solve the inequality x 2 + 2x - 8 < 0

Factorize x 2 + 2x - 8 = (x + 4)(x - 2) .

Now x 2 + 2x - 8 < 0 Þ (x + 4)(x - 2) < 0 Þ The factors (x + 4) and (x - 2) must

have opposite signs when and only when x lies strictly in between -4 and 2. Thus the required
solution is (-4, 2).

Exercise:
1. Solve the following for x :
2x − 2 x
(a) 2x + 3 = 5 , (b) 4 ( x − 2) + 5 = 2 x − 2 and (c) + = 1.
3 2
2. Solve and graph the solution set on the number line for the inequalities:
(a) 3x + 4  22 and (b) −3 ( x + 1)  2 ( x + 4 ) .
3. Solve the following equations and inequalities:
3a a 2(3 − n) 4n 3(1 − n)
(a) − = 6, (b) 3x −1 = 2x + 2 , (c) = − ,
4 3 5 5 10
4 w 3(2 − 2 w) w 7w 4
(d) 3 ( m − 2)  −5(1 − m) , (e) + −1  − . (f) x − 6 = 12 ,
9 9 9 9 7
3 6 1 3
(g) 6x + 12 = 30 − 3x , (h) −60 + x − x = −130 , (i) = ,
5 13 x −1 4x − 7
(j) 3 ( 5x − 2) + 16 = 8 − ( 4 x − 7 ) , (k) 3 ( 5 x − 8 ) − 8  x − ( 2 x − 3)  = 7  − x − ( − x − 4 )  and
   x    2 
(l) −6 3 6 1 −  − 4 x  − 6 = −5 −4 12 − 3 ( 3x − 5 )  − x  .
   2    3 
4. Solve each of the following formulae for the indicated letter:
d d 9
(a) v = for t , (b) v = for d , (c) F = C + 32 for C , (d) PV = RT for T ,
t t 5
(e) y = ax + b for a , (f) px − qy = k for x , (g) V = p (1 − it ) for t ,
k k 1
(h) A = ( a + i ) for a , (i) n =  2l + ( k − 1) r  for r and (j) s = gt 2 for g .
2 2 2
5. 10 plus an unknown number is equal to 30. Find the unknown number.
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 3
6. If of a number is increased by 20 we get 250. What is the number?
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7. 4 times a number is 10 more than 3 times the same number. Find the number.
8. The smaller of two numbers is 3 more than half of the larger number. The sum of these
numbers is 27. Find the numbers.
9. Olivia is 15 years older than Matt. Four times Olivia’s age decreased by 10 is 6 times
Matt’s age. Find their ages.
10. Of the two numbers, the second number is 3 more than the first. If twice the first number
is decreased by 4, we get the second number. Find the numbers.
11. Among three numbers the second number is 6 more than the first, while the third number
is 2 more than the second. Thrice the third number is 3 less than four times the first number.
Find the numbers.
12. A company manufactures home computers systems at a cost of P435 each and sells them
for P500 each. The company spent P150 000 in order to begin manufacturing computers.
How many systems must it sell in order to break even.
13. In her coin box, Mpho has P23.50 consisting of 25 Thebe and 10 Thebe coins. The
number of 10 Thebe coins is 25 more then the number of 25 Thebe coins. How many coins
of each kind does she have?
14. A University cinema charges students P1.50 , staff’s children P3.00 and staff P5.00 .
For one show 2600 tickets were sold. There were ten times as many students’ tickets as there
were staff tickets and the children’s tickets were 200 more than the staff tickets. What is the
total collection from the cinema?
15. Working alone. Violet can type a report in 9 hours. It would take Joyce twice as long to
type the same report. If Violet works alone on the report for 3 hours and then quits, how long
will it take Joyce to finish the report.
16. Mmatalodi estimated she would need 2 hours to complete a math test if she did not use a
calculator. However, if she used a calculator, she would only need 45 minutes. On the day
of the test, Mmatalodi’s instructor indicated she could use a calculator but she must complete
the test in a one-hour period. Halfway through the test Mmatalodi’s calculator died.
(a) How long will it take Mmatalodi to complete the test?
(b) Will she complete the test in the 1 hour period allowed?
17. A company plans to manufacture 486 computer systems at a cost of P 4350 each and sell
them for P5000 each. The company has to spend P1500 000 in order to set up the
manufacturing unit. How many computers must it sell in order to break even? Suppose this
company wants to manufacture Pentium computers instead of 486 computers. The Pentiums
would sell for P15000 each but it would cost an additional P1000 000 . Given that the
Pentium computers would cost P12 750 each to manufacture, how many Pentium computers
would have to be sold to break even?
18. If 8 spark plugs at P2.50 each will increase the mileage of a car from 10 to 15 km per
litre, and if petrol costs 65 Thebe per litre, how many kilometres must a car be driven for a
break even?
19. Dolly is running for SRC President. To help raise campaign money, she wants to stage a
disco. Although the music is free, she must rent the auditorium for P1500 . Announcements
and other publicity will cost another P750 . How many tickets at P5 each must be sold to
break even, given that each ticket costs 5 Thebe to print?
20. How many gallons of 10% alcohol must be added to 100 gallons of 90% alcohol to obtain
60% alcohol?
21. Kaisa and her friend Thabo have decided to wall paper a room together. Working alone,
Kaisa would require 18 hours and Thabo, 12 hours. How long will it take them to complete
the job together?
22. Bobby and Kagiso own an automobile repair shop. Together they can service a car in 3
hours. If Bobby works 3 times faster than Kagiso, how long will it take Kagiso to service the
car alone?
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23. 10 men can dig 30 cubic meters of soil in an oil well in a day. How many men are needed
to dig the oil well completely in 30 days if 4000 cubic meters of soil is to be removed?
24. One machine can do a piece of work in 10 hours and after a second machine is bought
they can together complete the same amount of work in 2 hours. How long will it take for the
second machine to do the job alone?

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