Core Maths – Equations and Inequalities Part 1

Notes: Solving Linear Equations

Simplified 5-Step Method:

1. Understand: Read the equation carefully and know what you need to find (the
value of (x)).

2. Simplify: If there are any brackets, multiply them out. If there are like terms
on either side of the equals sign, combine them.

3. Isolate (x): Move all the terms with (x) to one side of the equation and all the
numbers to the other side. Remember to change the sign of a term when you
move it across the equals sign.

4. Solve: Once you have (x) on one side and a number on the other, you might need
to do a final step (like division) to get (x) by itself.

5. Check: Put your answer back into the original equation to see if it makes the
equation true.

Let's work through some examples from the worksheet you have:

Example 1: Solve for (x): 9x + 8 = 5x – 8

Example 2: Solve for (x):

x + 2(x - 2) - 3(5 - x) = 4x - 5
Example 3: Solve for (x): 17 + 2x = 7(3 + x) - 5x

Additional Examples for Practice:

Example 4: Solve for y (practice!)

3(y + 2) - 5 = 2y + 1

Example 5: Solve for x:

2(𝑥 − 5) 1 5
+ (2𝑥 + 1) = − 𝑥
3 4 6
5-Step Method Solution:

Step 1: Understand the Question

 Key Information: It involves fractions and parentheses.

 What are they asking for? Find the value of (x) that makes the equation true.

 Conditions/Constraints: Solve for (x).

Step 2: Identify the Topic and Relevant Concepts

 Topic: Linear Equations.

 Relevant Concepts:

o Distributive Property: (a(b + c) = ab + ac)

o Fractions: Finding a common denominator to add or subtract fractions.

o Inverse Operations: Using opposite operations to isolate the variable.

Step 3: Plan Your Approach

1. Simplify:

o Eliminate the fractions by multiplying the entire equation by the least

common multiple (LCM) of the denominators (3, 4, and 6). The LCM is 12.

o Apply the distributive property to remove parentheses.

o Combine like terms on both sides of the equation.

2. Isolate the Variable:

o Use addition or subtraction to move all terms containing (x) to one side
of the equation and all constant terms to the other side.

o Combine like terms again.

3. Solve for the Variable:

o Use multiplication or division to remove any coefficient from the variable

and solve for (x).

4. Check Your Answer:

o Substitute the value of (x) back into the original equation to verify.

Step 4: Execute Your Plan

1. Simplify:

o Multiply the entire equation by 12:

o Apply the distributive property: (8x - 40 + 6x + 3 = 10 - 12x)

o Combine like terms: (14x - 37 = 10 - 12x)

2. Isolate the Variable:

o Add (12x) to both sides: (14x + 12x - 37 = 10 - 12x + 12x) (26x - 37 = 10)

o Add 37 to both sides: (26x - 37 + 37 = 10 + 37) (26x = 47)

 3. Solve for the Variable:

o Divide both sides by 26

4. Check Your Answer:

o Substitute x back into the original equation

o Simplify (this is where a calculator can be helpful to verify the

arithmetic):

Notes: Solving Quadratic Equations

Remember that a quadratic equation is an equation where the highest power of the
variable (usually (x)) is 2. The standard form of a quadratic equation is

ax2 + bx + c = 0

We'll use a simplified 5-step method to help us solve these problems, focusing on using
the fact that if the product of two or more factors is zero, then at least one of the
factors must be zero.

Simplified 5-Step Method:

1. Understand: Read the equation carefully and identify that it's a quadratic
equation (it has an (x2) term).

Know what you need to find (the value(s) of (x) that make the equation true).

2. Rearrange to Standard Form (if needed): If the equation is not in the form
(ax2 + bx + c = 0), rearrange it so that one side is equal to zero.

3. Factorise: Factorise the quadratic expression on the non-zero side of the

equation. This means writing it as a product of two linear factors (expressions
with (x) to the power of 1).

4. Set Factors to Zero: Once you have the quadratic expression factorised, set
each factor equal to zero.

5. Solve for (x): Solve each of the linear equations you get in step 4 to find the
possible values of (x). These are the solutions or roots of the quadratic
equation.
Example 1: Solve for (x):

(x + 1)(x - 2) = 0

1. Understand: This is a quadratic equation already in factored form. We need to

find the values of (x) that make the product of the two factors equal to zero.

2. Rearrange: The equation is already in a form where one side is zero.

3. Factorise: The equation is already factorised as (x + 1)(x - 2).

4. Set Factors to Zero: Set each factor equal to zero:

o x+1=0

o x-2=0

5. Solve for (x): Solve each linear equation:

o From (x + 1 = 0), subtract 1 from both sides: x = -1

o From (x - 2 = 0), add 2 to both sides: x = 2

Answer for Example 1: The solutions are x = -1 and x = 2.

Example 2: Solve for (x):

x2 - 2x = 8

1. Understand: This is a quadratic equation because of the (x2) term.

2. Rearrange to Standard Form: We need to make one side equal to zero.

Subtract 8 from both sides: (x2 - 2x - 8 = 0)

3. Factorise: We need to find two numbers that multiply to -8 and add up to -2.
These numbers are -4 and +2. So, we can factorise the quadratic as:

(x - 4)(x + 2) = 0

4. Set Factors to Zero: Set each factor equal to zero:

o (x - 4 = 0)

o (x + 2 = 0)

5. Solve for (x): Solve each linear equation:

o From (x - 4 = 0), add 4 to both sides: (x = 4)

o From (x + 2 = 0), subtract 2 from both sides: (x = -2)

Answer for Example 2: The solutions are (x = 4) and (x = -2).

Example 3: Solve for (x):

3x2 - 6x = 0

1. Understand: This is a quadratic equation.

2. Rearrange: The equation is already in a form where one side is zero.

3. Factorise: In this case, we can factor out a common factor of (3x) from both
terms: (3x(x - 2) = 0)

4. Set Factors to Zero: Set each factor equal to zero:

o (3x = 0)

o (x - 2 = 0)

5. Solve for (x): Solve each linear equation:

o From (3x = 0), divide both sides by 3: (x = 0)

o From (x - 2 = 0), add 2 to both sides: (x = 2)

Answer for Example 3: The solutions are (x = 0) and (x = 2).

Remember, when solving quadratic equations, you will usually find two solutions for (x).
Additional Examples for Practice:

Example 4: Solve for (x):

x2 + x - 6 = 0

Example 5: Solve for (x):

2x2 - 5x + 2 = 0

Keep practicing these steps, and you'll become a pro at factorising and solving
quadratic equations!
Notes: Solving Equations with Rational Expressions

Simplified 5-Step Method (with additions for Rational Expressions):

1. Understand: Read the equation carefully and identify that it contains fractions
with variables in the denominator. Know what you need to find (the value(s) of
(x) that make the equation true). Also, identify any values of (x) that would
make the denominators zero, as these will be invalid solutions.

2. Eliminate the Denominators: Multiply every term in the equation by the least
common multiple (LCM) of all the denominators. This will get rid of the
fractions.

3. Simplify: After eliminating the denominators, you'll likely have a linear or

quadratic equation. Expand any brackets and combine like terms.

4. Solve for (x): Solve the resulting equation using the methods we've learned for
linear or quadratic equations.

5. Check for Extraneous Solutions / Restrictions: This is a crucial step for

rational equations! Substitute your solution(s) back into the original equation to
make sure they don't make any of the denominators equal to zero. If a solution
does make a denominator zero, it's called an extraneous solution and must be
discarded.

Example 1: Solve for (x):

1. Understand: This equation has rational expressions. Notice that (2 - 3x) is the
negative of (3x - 2).
3𝑥 2
+3=
3𝑥 − 2 2 − 3𝑥

Restrictions:
2. Eliminate the Denominators: The denominators are (3x - 2) and (2 - 3x). The
LCM is (3x - 2) (or (2 - 3x), we just need to be careful with signs). Let's use (3x
- 2). Multiply every term by (3x - 2):

3. Simplify: Combine like terms: (12x - 6 = -2)

4. Solve for (x):

o Add 6 to both sides: (12x = -2 + 6)

o (12x = 4)

o Divide by 12:

5. Check for Extraneous Solutions / Restrictions:

Example 2: Solve for (x):
𝟏 𝟐 𝟑
+ =
𝒙−𝟐 𝒙+𝟐 𝒙+𝟏
Understand: This equation has rational expressions with denominators (x - 2), (x + 2),
and (x + 1). The values that make the denominators zero are (x = 2), (x = -2), and (x = -
1). These cannot be solutions.

1. Eliminate the Denominators: The LCM of the denominators is

(x - 2)(x + 2)(x + 1).

Multiply every term by this LCM:

Simplify: Expand the brackets:

2. Solve for (x):

3. Check for Extraneous Solutions: Substitute (x = -10) back into the original
equation. None of the denominators will be zero. (We can quickly check: -10 - 2 =
-12, -10 + 2 = -8, -10 + 1 = -9).
Example 3: Solve for (x):
2𝑥 − 3 2
=
𝑥−4 3
1. Understand: Rational expressions. Denominator is zero when (x = 4).

2. Eliminate the Denominators: Multiply both sides by (3(x - 4)):

3. Simplify: Expand the brackets: 6x - 9 = 2x - 8

4. Solve for (x):

5. Check for Extraneous Solutions: Substitute (x = \frac{1}{4}) back into the

original equation. The denominator will be (\frac{1}{4} - 4 \neq 0).
Practice Questions for You:

Now it's your turn to try a couple on your own using the 5-step method! Remember to
check for extraneous solutions.

Practice Question 1: Solve for (x):

4 7 5
− =
𝑥 𝑥−3 𝑥

Practice Question 2: Solve for (x):

𝑥 2
=
𝑥+1 3

Take your time to work through these, and remember each step, especially the
checking part! Let me know what answers you get, and we can go through them
together.
Notes: Solving Simultaneous Linear Equations

1. Understand: Read both equations carefully and identify the variables you need
to solve for (usually (x) and (y), or sometimes other letters).

2. Choose a Method: Decide whether to use the substitution method or the

elimination method. We'll talk about when to use each in a bit.

3. Solve using the Chosen Method: Follow the steps for either substitution or
elimination to find the value of one variable.

4. Substitute Back: Once you've found the value of one variable, substitute it
back into one of the original equations to find the value of the other variable.1

5. Check: Substitute both values back into both original equations to make sure
they make both equations true.

Difference Between Substitution and Elimination:

 Substitution: You solve one equation for one variable in terms of the other, and
then you substitute that expression into the second equation. This leaves you
with one equation with one variable, which you can solve.

 Elimination: You manipulate the equations (by multiplying them by constants) so

that when you add or subtract the equations, one of the variables is eliminated.
This also leaves you with one equation with one variable.

When to Use Which Method:

 Substitution is often easier when:

o One of the variables in one of the equations has a coefficient of 1 or -1.

This makes it easy to solve for that variable.

o One of the equations is already solved for one variable.

 Elimination is often easier when:

o The coefficients of one of the variables in both equations are the same
or negatives of each other (or can be easily made so by multiplication).

o The equations are in the standard form (Ax + By = C).

Example 1: Solve simultaneously:

(x - y = 1) (Equation A)

and

(x + y = 3) (Equation B)

 Method: Elimination (as shown in the image)

1. Understand: We need to find values for (x) and (y) that satisfy both
equations.

2. Choose a Method: The coefficients of (y) are -1 and +1, which are
opposites, so elimination by addition looks easy.

3. Solve using Elimination:

Add Equation A and Equation B:

(x - y) + (x + y) = 1 + 3

2x = 4

x=2

4. Substitute Back: Substitute x = 2 into Equation B:

2+y=3

y=1

5. Check:

 Equation A: (2 - 1 = 1) (True)

 Equation B: (2 + 1 = 3) (True)

Answer for Example 1: (x = 2) and (y = 1).

Example 2: Solve simultaneously:

2(b - 3) = a + 3) (Equation A)

and b + 3 = a - 2 (Equation B)

 Method: Substitution

1. Understand: Find values for (a) and (b).

2. Choose a Method: Let's first simplify the equations.

3. Equation A:

2b - 6 = a + 3

2b - a = 9

4. Equation B:

b+3=a-2

b=a-5

(Substitution looks easy here as Equation B is easily solved for (b)).

5. Solve using Substitution: Substitute

b = a - 5 into the simplified Equation A

2(a - 5) - a = 9

2a - 10 - a = 9

a - 10 = 9

a = 19

6. Substitute Back:

Substitute a = 19 back into b = a - 5:

b = 19 - 5

b = 14

7. Check:

 Original Equation A: (2(14 - 3) = 19 + 3) => (2(11) = 22) => (22 = 22)

(True)

 Original Equation B: (14 + 3 = 19 - 2) => (17 = 17) (True)

Answer for Example 2: (a = 19) and (b = 14).

Example 3:
Solve simultaneously:

(y = 2x + 1) (Equation A)

and (3x + 2y = 16) (Equation B)

 Method: Substitution (Equation A is already solved for (y))

1. Understand: Find values for (x) and (y).

2. Choose a Method: Substitution is straightforward here.

3. Solve using Substitution:

Substitute y = 2x + 1 into Equation B:

(3x + 2(2x + 1) = 16)

(3x + 4x + 2 = 16)

(7x + 2 = 16)

(7x = 14)

(x = 2)

4. Substitute Back: Substitute (x = 2) back into Equation A:

(y = 2(2) + 1)

(y = 4 + 1)

(y = 5)

5. Check:

 Equation A: (5 = 2(2) + 1) => (5 = 4 + 1) => (5 = 5) (True)

 Equation B: (3(2) + 2(5) = 16) => (6 + 10 = 16) => (16 = 16) (True)

Answer for Example 3: (x = 2) and (y = 5).

Practice Questions for You:

Now it's your turn to try a couple on your own using the 5-step method! Decide which
method (substitution or elimination) you think will be easier for each.

Practice Question 1: Solve simultaneously:

(2x + y = 7)

(x - y = 2)

Practice Question 2: Solve simultaneously:

(y = 3x - 5)

(2x + 3y = 1)

Take your time to work through these, and remember each step. Let me know what
answers you get, and we can go through them together!