2 Algebra 1

Isaac Newton (1642–1727) was an English

scientist and mathematician, and a prominent
figure in the Scientific Revolution of the 17th
century. He went to Trinity College Cambridge
in 1661 and by the age of 23 he had made
three major discoveries: the nature of colours,
calculus and the law of gravitation. He used his
version of calculus to give the first satisfactory
explanation of the motion of the Sun, the
Moon and the stars. Because he was extremely
sensitive to criticism, Newton was always very
secretive, but he was eventually persuaded to
publish his discoveries in 1687.

∙ Substitute into expressions and formulae.

∙ Simplify expressions and expand brackets.
∙ Construct and solving linear equations including those where x appears in the
denominator as part of a linear expression.
∙ Solve simultaneous equations.

52
 2.1 Substitution
Algebra 1

2.1 Substitution
In algebra, letters are used to represent numbers. These letters
are called variables.
Mathematical expressions are made up of one or more terms and
operations. A term may be a number, a variable or a combination
of both. The expression 5x2 − 6x + 7 has three terms:
5x2, −6x and 7
You can evaluate an expression by replacing the variables in the
expression with specific values. This is called substitution.
For example, when x = −1, the expression 5x2 − 6x + 7 is
evaluated:
5(−1)2 − 6(−1) + 7 = 5 × 1 + 6 + 7
= 18

Example
When a = 3, b = −2, and c = 5, find the value of:

a+c
a) 3a + b b) ac + b2 c) d) a(c − b)
b

a) 3a + b = (3 × 3 ) + ( −2) b) ac + b2 = (3 × 5 ) + ( −2)2 c) a + c = 3 + 5
b −2
= 9−2 = 15 + 4
8
=7 = 19 =
−2
= −4
d) a( c − b) = 3[ 5 − ( −2)]
= 3(7 )
= 21

Note that working down the page makes the steps easy to read and easy to follow.

Tip
When substituting, remember to always use BIDMAS.

53
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.1A
Evaluate the following.
For Questions 1 to 12, a = 3, c = 2, e = 5.
1. 3a − 2 2. 4c + e 3. 2c + 3a 4. 5e − a
5. e − 2c 6. e − 2a 7. 4c + 2e 8. 7a − 5e
9. c − e 10. 10a + c + e 11. a + c − e 12. a − c − e

For Questions 13 to 24, h = 3, m = −2, t = −3.

13. 2m − 3 14. 4t + 10 15. 3h − 12 16. 6m + 4
17. 9t − 3 18. 4h + 4 19. 2m − 6 20. m + 2
21. 3h + m 22. t − h 23. 4m + 2h 24. 3t − m

For Questions 25 to 36, x = −2, y = −1, k = 0.

25. 3x + 1 26. 2y + 5 27. 6k + 4 28. 3x + 2y
29. 2k + x 30. xy 31. xk 32. 2xy
33. 2(x + k) 34. 3(k + y) 35. 5x − y 36. 3k − 2x

Tip
2x2 means 2(x2)
(2x)2 means ‘work out
2x and then square it’
−7x means −7(x)
−x2 means −(x2)

Example
When x = −2, find the value of:
a) 2x2 − 5x b) (3x)2 − x2

2 2
a) 2x 2 − 5x = 2( −2)2 − 5( −2) b) (3 x ) − x = (3 × −2)2 − 1( −2)2
= 2(4 ) + 10 = ( −6 )2 − 1(4 )
= 18 = 36 − 4
= 32

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 2.1 Substitution
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.1B
If x = −3 and y = 2, evaluate:
1. x2 2. 3x2 3. y2 4. 4y2
5. (2x)2 6. 2x2 7. 10 − x2 8. 10 − y2
9. 20 − 2x2 10. 20 − 3y2 11. 5 + 4x 12. x2 − 2x
13. y2 − 3x2 14. x2 − 3y 15. (2x)2 − y2 16. 4x2
17. (4x)2 18. 1 − x2 19. y − x2 20. x2 + y2
21. x2 − y2 22. 2 − 2x2 23. (3x)2 + 3 24. 11 − xy
25. 12 + xy 26. (2x)2 − (3y)2 27. 2 − 3x2 28. y2 − x2
x
29. x2 + y3 30. 31. 10 − 3x 32. 2y2
y
33. 25 − 3y 34. (2y)2 35. −7 + 3x 36. −8 + 10y
37. (xy)2 38. xy2 39. −7 + x2 40. 17 + xy
41. −5 − 2x2 42. 10 − (2x)2 43. x2 + 3x + 5 44. 2x2 − 4x + 1
x2
45.
y

Example
When a = −2, b = 3, c = −3, evaluate:
2a (b2 − a )
a) b) ( a2 + b2 )
c

a) (b2 − a ) = 9 − ( −2) 2a (b2 − a ) 2 × ( −2) × (11) Tip

∴ =
= 11 c −3
In mathematics,
−44
= the ∴ symbol
−3 means ‘therefore’.
44
=
3
2
= 14
3

b) ( a2 + b2 ) = ( −2)2 + (3 )2
= 4+9
= 13

55
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.1C
Evaluate the following expressions.
For Questions 1 to 16, a = 4, b = −2, c = −3.
1. a(b + c) 2. a2 (b − c) 3. 2c(a − c) 4. b2 (2a + 3c)
5. c2(b − 2a) 6. 2a2(b + c) 7. 2(a + b + c) 8. 3c(a − b − c)

9. b2 + 2b + a 10. c2 − 3c + a 11. 2b2 − 3b 12. (a 2

+ c2 )
b2 2c c2 4b
13. ( ab + c )
2
14. (c 2
− b2 ) 15.
a
+
b
16.
b
+
a

For Questions 17 to 32, k = −3, m = 1, n = −4.

17. k2(2m − n) 18. 5m (k 2
+ n2 ) 19. (kn + 4m )
20. kmn(k2 + m2 + n2) 21. k2m2(m − n) 22. k2 − 3k + 4
23. m3 + m2 + n2 + n 24. k3 + 3k 25. m(k2 − n2)
26. m (k − n ) 27. 100k2 + m 28. m2(2k2 − 3n2)
2k + m kn − k 3k + 2m
29. 30. 31.
k−n 2m 2n − 3k
k+m+n
32. 2
k + m2 + n 2

1
For Questions 33 to 48, w = −2, x = 3, y = 0, z = −
2
w w+x x+z
33. +x 34. 35. y   36. x2 (z + wy)
z z  w 
37. x ( x + wz ) 38. w2 (z 2
+ y2 ) 39. 2(w2 + x2 + y2) 40. 2x(w − z)
z z +w x +w y2 − w2
41. +x 42. 43. 44.
w x z2 xz
1 1 1 4 10 yz − xw
45. z2 + 4z + 5 46. + + 47. + 48.
w z x z w xz − w

 a2 + b2 + c2 − 2c 
49. Find K =  2 2  when a = 3, b = −2, c = −1.
 a + b + 4c 
kmn(k + m + n ) 1 1 1
50. Find W = when k = , m = − , n =
(k + m )(k + n ) 2 3 4

56
 Algebra 1
2.1 Substitution

When a calculation is repeated many times, it is often helpful

to use a formula. An example of a scientific formula is the
formula for converting between degrees Celsius and degrees
Fahrenheit. An example of a mathematical formula is the one
for calculating the volume of a sphere.

Example 1 Tip
9
Use the formula F = C + 32to convert 45 °C to degrees Rearranging
5 the formula to
Fahrenheit.
convert degrees
9 Fahrenheit to
If C = 45, then F = × 45 + 32 113
= °F. degrees Celsius
5
will be covered
in Chapter 8:
Example 2 Changing the
4 3 subject of a
Use the formula V = πr to calculate the volume of a sphere
3 formula.
with diameter 12 cm.
Leave your answer in terms of π.

The diameter is 12 cm, so the radius is 6 cm.

4
So V = π × 63 = 288 π cm3
3

Exercise 2.1D
1. The final speed v of a car is given by the formula v = u + at.
Tip
[u = initial speed, a = acceleration, t = time taken]
The period of a
Find v when u = 15 m/s, a = 0.2 m/s2, t = 30 s. pendulum is the
2. The period T of a simple pendulum is given by the formula time it takes to
complete one full
 l 
T = 2π   , where l is the length of the pendulum and g cycle: a left swing
g and a right swing.
is the gravitational acceleration. Find T when l = 0.65 m,
g = 9.81 m/s2 and π = 3.142.
3. The total surface area A of a cone is related to the radius r
h l
and the slant height l by the formula A = πr(r + l).
Find A when r = 7 cm and l = 11 cm.
4. The sum S of the squares of the integers from 1 to n is r
1
given by S = n (n + 1) (2n + 1). Find S when n = 12.
6

57
Algebra 1

5. The acceleration a of a train is found using the formula

v2 − u2
a = .
2s
Find a when v = 20 m/s, u = 9 m/s and s = 2.5 m.
6. Einstein’s famous equation relating energy, mass and the
speed of light is E = mc2.
Find E when m = 0.0001 kg and c = 3 × 108 m/s.
7. The distance s travelled by an accelerating rocket is
given by s = ut + 1 at2 .
2
Find s when u = 3 m/s, t = 100 s and a = 0.1 m/s2.
8. Find a formula for the area of the shape below, in terms
of a, b and c.
a
Tip
You can find out
b more about area
in Chapter 5.
a

9. Find a formula for the length of the shaded part below, in

terms of p, q and r.
p

q
r

2.2 Brackets and simplifying

A term outside a pair of brackets multiplies each of the terms
inside the brackets. This is the distributive law.

Example 1
3(x − 2y) = 3x − 6y

Example 2
2x(x − 2y + z) = 2x2 − 4xy + 2xz

58
 2.2 Brackets and simplifying

Example 3
7y − 4(2x − 3) = 7y − 8x + 12

In general, like terms can be added:

x terms can be added to x terms
y terms can be added to y terms
x2 terms can be added to x2 terms
But they must not be mixed.

Example 4
2x + 3y + 3x2 + 2y − x = 2x − x + 3y + 2y + 3x2 You can rearrange
= x + 5y + 3x2 the expression to
group together
like terms.

Example 5
7x + 3x(2x − 3) = 7x + 6x2 − 9x
= 6x2 − 2x

Exercise 2.2A
Simplify these expressions as far as possible.
1. 3x + 4y + 7y 2. 4a + 7b − 2a + b 3. 3x − 2y + 4y
4. 2x + 3x + 5 5. 7 − 3x + 2 + 4x 6. 5 − 3y − 6y − 2
7. 5x + 2y − 4y − x2 8. x2 − 2 + 3x + x2 + 7 9. 2x − 7y − 2x − 3y
10. 4a + 3a2 − 2a 11. 1 + 7a − 8a2 + 6 + a2 12. x2 + 3x2 − 4x2 + 5x
3 7 4 7 1 2 m 2m
13. + b + − 2b 14. − + + 15. +
a a x y x y x x
5 7 1 3 2 n m n m
16. − + 17. + b + + 2b 18. − − +
x x 2 a a 4 3 2 3
19. x3 + 7x2 − 2x3 20. (2x) − 2x2
2
21. (3y) + x − (2y)2
2 2

3 5
22. (2x)2 − (2y)2 − (4x)2 23. 5x − 7x2 − (2x)2 24. 2 + 2
x x

59
Algebra 1

Expand the brackets and collect like terms to simplify

each expression.
25. 3x + 2(x + 1) 26. 5x + 7(x − 1) 27. 7 + 3(x − 1)
28. 9 − 2(3x − 1) 29. 3x − 4(2x + 5) 30. 5x − 2x(x − 1)
31. 7x + 3x(x − 4) 32. 4(x − 1) − 3x 33. 5x(x + 2) + 4x
34. 3x(x − 1) − 7x2 35. 3a + 2(a + 4) 36. 4a − 3(a − 3)
37. 3ab − 2a(b − 2) 38. 3y − y(2 − y) 39. 3x − (x + 2)
40. 7x − (x − 3) 41. 5x − 2(2x + 2) 42. 3(x − y) + 4(x + 2y)
43. x(x − 2) + 3x(x − 3) 44. 3x(x + 4) − x(x − 2) 45. y(3y − 1) − (3y − 1)
46. 7(2x + 2) − (2x + 2) 47. 7b(a + 2) − a(3b + 3) 48. 3(x − 2) − (x − 2)

Two pairs of brackets

To expand two pairs of brackets, multiply each term in
the first pair of brackets by each term in the second pair.

Example 1
Expand ( x + 5)( x + 3 )
( x + 5)( x + 3 ) = x ( x + 3 ) + 5( x + 3 ) (Multiply each term in the
= x 2 + 3 x + 5x + 15 second bracket by x and by 5.)
= x 2 + 8 x + 15

Example 2
(2x − 3 )(4 y + 3 ) = 2x (4 y + 3 ) − 3(4 y + 3 )
= 8 xy + 6 x − 12 y − 9

Example 3
3( x + 1)( x − 2) = 3[ x ( x − 2) + 1( x − 2)]
= 3[ x 2 − 2x + x − 2]
= 3x 2 − 3x − 6

60
 2.2 Brackets and simplifying
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.2B
Expand the brackets and simplify:
1. (x + 1)(x + 3) 2. (x + 3)(x + 2) 3. (y + 4)(y + 5)
4. (x − 3)(x + 4) 5. (x + 5)(x − 2) 6. (x − 3)(x − 2)
7. (a − 7)(a + 5) 8. (z + 9)(z − 2) 9. (x − 3)(x + 3)
10. (k − 11)(k + 11) 11. (2x + 1)(x − 3) 12. (3x + 4)(x − 2)
13. (2y − 3)(y + 1) 14. (7y − 1)(7y + 1) 15. (3x − 2)(3x + 2)
16. (3a + b)(2a + b) 17. (3x + y)(x + 2y) 18. (2b + c)(3b − c)
19. (5x − y)(3y − x) 20. (3b − a)(2a + 5b) 21. 2(x − 1)(x + 2)
22. 3(x − 1)(2x + 3) 23. 4(2y − 1)(3y + 2) 24. 2(3x + 1)(x − 2)
25. 4(a + 2b)(a − 2b) 26. x(x − 1)(x − 2) 27. 2x(2x − 1)(2x + 1)
28. 3y(y − 2)(y + 3) 29. x(x + y)(x + z) 30. 3z(a + 2m)(a − m)

Be careful with an expression like (x − 3)2.

It is not x2 − 9 or even x2 + 9.
( x − 3 )2 = ( x − 3 )( x − 3 )
= x ( x − 3 ) − 3( x − 3 )
= x 2 − 6x + 9

Another common mistake occurs with an expression

like 4 − (x − 1)2.
A common error is to forget that to multiply a set of brackets
by −1, you need to change the sign of all terms inside the brackets.
The following work is correct.
4 − ( x − 1)2 = 4 − 1( x − 1)( x − 1)
= 4 − 1( x 2 − 2x + 1) Using a bracket here helps to get
= 4 − x 2 + 2x − 1 the signs correct.
= 3 + 2x − x 2

Exercise 2.2C
Expand the brackets and simplify:
1. (x + 4)2 2. (x + 2)2 3. (x − 2)2
4. (2x + 1)2 5. (y − 5)2 6. (3y + 1)2

61
Algebra 1

7. (x + y)2 8. (2x + y)2 9. (a − b)2

10. (2a − 3b)2 11. 3(x + 2)2 12. (3 − x)2
13. (3x + 2)2 14. (a − 2b)2 15. (x + 1)2 + (x + 2)2
16. (x − 2)2 + (x + 3)2 17. (x + 2)2 + (2x + 1)2 18. (y − 3)2 + (y − 4)2
19. (x + 2)2 − (x − 3)2 20. (x − 3)2 − (x + 1)2 21. (y − 3)2 − (y + 2)2
22. (2x + 1)2 − (x + 3)2 23. 3(x + 2)2 − (x + 4)2 24. 2(x − 3)2 − 3(x + 1)2

Three pairs of brackets

To expand three pairs of brackets, expand the first two pairs
of brackets, and then multiply this result by the third pair.

Example
( x + 1)( x + 2)( x + 3 ) = [ x ( x + 2) + 1( x + 2)]( x + 3 )
= [ x 2 + 2x + x + 2]( x + 3 )
= ( x 2 + 3 x + 2)( x + 3 )
= x ( x 2 + 3 x + 2) + 3( x 2 + 3 x + 2)
= x 3 + 3 x 2 + 2x + 3 x 2 + 9 x + 6
= x 3 + 6 x 2 + 11x + 6

Exercise 2.2D
Expand the brackets and simplify.
1. (x + 2)(x − 3)(x − 4) 2. (x − 1)(x + 2)(x − 5) 3. (x + 6)(x − 3)(x + 5)
4. (2x − 1)(x + 1)(x − 1) 5. (3x + 1)(2x + 1)(x − 2) 6. (x + 2)(4x − 3)(2x + 3)
7. (6x − 5)(2x + 7)(3x − 8) 8. (x + 1)2(x − 4) 9. (x − 3)(x − 2)2
10. (x − 1)(2x + 3)2 11. (x − 1)3 12. (3x + 2)3
13. (x − 2)3 − (x + 1)3 14. (x + 3)3 − (x − 4)3 15. (2x + 1)3 + 3(x + 1)3

2.3 Solving linear equations

If an equation contains only one variable, and the highest power
of that variable is 1, then the equation is a linear equation. In this
section you are going to solve linear equations.

62
 2.3 Solving linear equations
Algebra 1

Here are some examples, illustrating a few of the techniques you

may use.
• If the x term is negative, add an x term with a positive
coefficient to both sides of the equation.

Example 1
Solve 4 − 3 x = 2

4 = 2 + 3x (Add 3x to both sides.)

2 = 3x (Subtract 2 from both sides.)
2
= x (Divide both sides by 3.)
3

• If there are x terms on both sides, collect them on one side and
then simplify.

Example 2
Solve 2x − 7 = 5 − 3 x

2x + 3 x = 5 + 7 (Add 3x to both sides.)

5x = 12
12 2
x= =2 (Divide both sides by 5 and simplify.)
5 5

• If there is a fraction in the x term, multiply out to simplify

the equation.

Example 3
2x
Solve = 10
3
2x = 30 (Multiply both sides by 3.)
30
x = = 15 (Divide both sides by 2 and simplify.)
2

Exercise 2.3A
Solve:
1. 2x − 5 = 11 2. 3x − 7 = 20 3. 2x + 6 = 20 4. 5x + 10 = 60
5. 8 = 7 + 3x 6. 12 = 2x − 8 7. −7 = 2x − 10 8. 3x − 7 = −10

63
Algebra
Algebra 11

x x
9. 12 = 15 + 2x 10. 5 + 6x = 7 11. =7 12. = 13
5 10
x x 1 3x 4x
13. 7 = 14. = 15. =5 16. = −2
2 2 3 2 5
7x 3 2x 5x 1 3 3x
17. 7 = 18. = 19. = 20. − =
3 4 3 6 4 4 5
x x x x
21. + 7 = 12 22. −7 = 2 23. − 6 = −2 24. 4 = −5
2 3 5 2
x a
25. 10 = 3 + 26. − 1 = −4 27. 100x − 1 = 98 28. 7 = 7 + 7x
4 5
x
29. + 10 = 20 30. 1000x − 5 = −6 31. −4 = −7 + 3x 32. 2x + 4 = x − 3
100
33. x − 3 = 3x + 7 34. 5x − 4 = 3 − x 35. 4 − 3x = 1 36. 5 − 4x = −3
37. 7 = 2 − x 38. 3 − 2x = x + 12 39. 6 + 2a = 3 40. a − 3 = 3a − 7
41. 2y − 1 = 4 − 3y 42. 7 − 2x = 2x − 7 43. 7 − 3x = 5 − 2x 44. 8 − 2y = 5 − 5y
45. x − 16 = 16 − 2x 46. x + 2 = 3.1 47. −x − 4 = −3 48. −3 − x = −5
x 1 3 x 1 x
49. − + 1 = − 50. − + = − −
2 4 5 10 5 5

Equations with brackets

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

x − 2x + 2 = 1 − 4 x − 4 (Be careful to get the sign of each term correct.)

x − 2x + 4 x = 1 − 4 − 2 (Add 4x to both sides.)
3 x = −5 (Simplify.)
5
x = − (Divide both sides by 3.)
3

Exercise 2.3B
Solve:
1. x + 3(x + 1) = 2x 2. 1 + 3(x − 1) = 4
3. 2x − 2(x + 1) = 5x 4. 2(3x − 1) = 3(x − 1)
5. 4(x − 1) = 2(3 − x) 6. 4(x − 1) − 2 = 3x
7. 4(1 − 2x) = 3(2 − x) 8. 3 − 2(2x + 1) = x + 17
9. 4x = x − (x − 2) 10. 7x = 3x − (x + 20)
11. 5x − 3(x − 1) = 39 12. 3x + 2(x − 5) = 15

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 2.3 Solving linear equations
Algebra 1

13. 7 − (x + 1) = 9 − (2x − 1) 14. 10x − (2x + 3) = 21

15. 3(2x + 1) + 2(x − 1) = 23 16. 5(1 − 2x) − 3(4 + 4x) = 0
17. 7x − (2 − x) = 0 18. 3(x + 1) = 4 − (x − 3)
19. 3y + 7 + 3(y − 1) = 2(2y + 6) 20. 4(y − 1) + 3(y + 2) = 5(y − 4)
21. 4x − 2(x + 1) = 5(x + 3) + 5 22. 7 − 2(x − 1) = 3(2x − 1) + 2
23. 10(2x + 3) − 8(3x − 5) + 5(2x − 8) = 0 24. 2(x + 4) + 3(x − 10) = 8
25. 7(2x − 4) + 3(5 − 3x) = 2 26. 10(x + 4) − 9(x − 3) − 1 = 8(x + 3)
27. 5(2x − 1) − 2(x − 2) = 7 + 4x 28. 6(3x − 4) − 10(x − 3) = 10(2x − 3)
29. 3(x − 3) − 7(2x − 8) − (x − 1) = 0 30. 5 + 2(x + 5) = 10 − (4 − 5x)
 1  2
31. 6 x + 30( x − 12) = 2  x − 1  32. 3  2x −  − 7( x − 1) = 0
 2  3 
 1
33. 5(x − 1) + 17(x − 2) = 2x + 1 34. 6(2x − 1) + 9( x + 1) = 8  x − 1 
 4
35. 7(x + 4) − 5(x + 3) + (4 − x) = 0 36. 0 = 9(3x + 7) − 5(x + 2) − (2x − 5)
 1 3 1 1
37. 10(2.3 − x) − 0.1(5x − 30) = 0 38. 8  2 x −  − (1 − x ) =
 2 4 4 2
x
39. (6 − x ) − ( x − 5) − (4 − x ) = −
2
 x  1
40. 10  1 −  − (10 − x ) − 100 (10 − x ) = 0.05
 10 

Example
Solve ( x + 3 )2 = ( x + 2)2 + 32

( x + 3 )( x + 3 ) = ( x + 2)( x + 2) + 9
x 2 + 6x + 9 = x 2 + 4x + 4 + 9
6x + 9 = 4 x + 13
2x = 4
x = 2

Exercise 2.3C
Solve:
1. x2 + 4 = (x + 1)(x + 3) 2. x2 + 3x = (x + 3)(x + 1)
3. (x + 3)(x − 1) = x2 + 5 4. (x + 1)(x + 4) = (x − 7)(x + 6)

65
Algebra 1

5. (x − 2)(x + 3) = (x − 7)(x + 7) 6. (x − 5)(x + 4) = (x + 7)(x − 6)

7. 2x2 + 3x = (2x − 1)(x + 1) 8. (2x − 1)(x − 3) = (2x − 3)(x − 1)
9. x2 + (x + 1)2 = (2x − 1)(x + 4) 10. x(2x + 6) = 2(x2 − 5)
11. (x + 1)(x − 3) + (x + 1)2 = 2x(x − 4) 12. (2x + 1)(x − 4) + (x − 2)2 = 3x(x + 2)
13. (x + 2)2 − (x − 3)2 = 3x − 11 14. x(x − 1) = 2(x − 1)(x + 5) − (x − 4)2
15. (2x + 1)2 − 4(x − 3)2 = 5x + 10 16. 2(x + 1)2 − (x − 2)2 = x(x − 3)
17. The area of the rectangle here exceeds the area of the square by 2 cm2.
Find x.

x
x−1

x+2 x

18. The area of the square exceeds the area of the rectangle by 13 m2.
Find y.

y+1
y
y−3

19. The area of the square is half the area of the rectangle. Find x.
x
2(x + 4)
x
(x − 2)

Equations involving fractions

When solving equations involving fractions, multiply both
sides of the equation by a suitable number or letter to eliminate
the fractions.

Example 1
5
Solve =2
x

5 = 2x ( Multiply both sides by x.)

5
= x (Divide both sides by 2.)
2

66
 2.3 Solving linear equations
Algebra 1

Example 2
x + 3 2x − 1
Solve =
4 3

( x + 3) ( 2 x − 1)
12 × = 12 × (Multiply both sides by 12.)
4 3
3( x + 3 ) = 4(2x − 1) (Or you can cross multiply.)
3x + 9 = 8x − 4
13 = 5x (Subtract 3x, not 8x, so that
13 the x term is positive.)
= x
5
3
x =2
5

Example 3
5
Solve + 2 = 12
( x − 1)

5
= 10 (2 and 12 are like terms so
( x − 1)
combine them first.)
5 = 10( x − 1)
5 = 10 x − 10
15 = 10 x
15
=x
10
1
x =1
2

Exercise 2.3D
Solve:
7 6 5
1. = 21 2. 30 = 3. =3
x x x
9 5 4
4. = −3 5. 11 = 6. −2 =
x x x
x 3 x 5 x +1 x −1
7. = 8. = 9. =
4 2 3 4 3 4

67
Algebra 1

x+3 x−4 2x − 1 x 3 x + 1 2x
10. = 11. = 12. =
2 5 3 2 5 3
8−x 2x + 2 x + 2 3x + 6 1−x 3−x
13. = 14. = 15. =
2 5 7 5 2 3
2 x x x x
16. =1 17. + = 1 18. + = 4
x −1 3 4 3 2
x x x x 5 10
19. − = 3 20. = 2 + 21. =
2 5 3 4 x −1 x
12 18 5 15
22. =4 23. 2 = 24. =
2x − 3 x+4 x+5 x +7
9 5 4 10 −7 14
25. = 26. = 27. =
x x −3 x − 1 3x − 1 x − 1 5x + 2
4 7 x +1 x −1 1 1 1
28. = 29. + = 30. ( x + 2) = (3 x + 2)
x + 1 3x − 2 2 3 6 3 5
1 1 1 2x 4
31. ( x − 1) − ( x + 1) = 0 32. ( x + 5) − =0 33. + 2 = 3
2 6 4 3 x
6 9 3
34. − 3 = 7 35. − 7 = 1 36. −2 = 1 +
x x x
4 6 3
37. 4 − = 0 38. 5 − = −1 39. 7 − =1
x x 2x
5 9 x −1 x −1
40. 4 + = −1 41. −5 = 0 42. − =0
3x 2x 5 3
x − 1 2x − 3 1 4 3 x +1 x 1
43. − = 44. = 45. − =
4 5 20 1−x 1+x 4 3 12
2x + 1 x − 1 5
46. − =
8 3 24

2.4 Problems solved by linear equations

Step 1 Let the unknown quantity be x (or any other letter) and
state the units (where appropriate).
Step 2 Express the given statement in the form of an equation.
Do not include the units in the equation.
Step 3 Solve the equation for x and give the answer in words. (Do
not finish by just writing ‘x = 3’.)
Step 4 Check your solution using the initial problem (not your
equation).

68
 2.4 Problems solved by linear equations
Algebra 1

Example 1
The sum of three consecutive whole numbers is 78. Find the
numbers.
Let the smallest number be x; then the other numbers are
(x + 1) and (x + 2).
Form an equation:
x + (x + 1) + (x + 2) = 78
3x + 3 = 78
Solve: 3x = 75
x = 25
In words:
The three numbers are 25, 26 and 27.
Check: 25 + 26 + 27 = 78

Example 2
The length of a rectangle is three times its width. If the
perimeter is 36 cm, find the width.
Let the width of the rectangle
be x cm. x

Then the length of the rectangle

3x
is 3x cm.
Form an equation.
x + 3x + x + 3x = 36 or 2(x + 3x) = 36
Solve: 8 x = 36
x = 36
8
x = 4 .5

In words:
The width of the rectangle is 4.5 cm
Check: If width = 4.5 cm
length = 13.5 cm
perimeter = 36 cm

69
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.4A
Solve each problem by forming an equation. The first questions
are easy but should still be solved using an equation, in order
to practise the method.
1. The sum of three consecutive numbers is 276.
Find the numbers.
2. The sum of four consecutive numbers is 90. Find the numbers.
3. The sum of three consecutive odd numbers is 177.
Find the numbers.
4. Find three consecutive even numbers which add up to 1524.
5. When a number is doubled and then added to 13, the result
is 38. Find the number.
6. When a number is doubled and then added to 24, the result
is 49. Find the number.
7. When 7 is subtracted from three times a certain number,
the result is 28. What is the number?
8. The sum of two numbers is 50. The second number is five
times the first. Find the numbers.
9. Two numbers are in the ratio 1:11 and their sum is 15.
Find the numbers.
10. The length of a rectangle is twice the width. If the perimeter
is 20 cm, find the width.
11. The width of a rectangle is one third of the length. If the
perimeter is 96 cm, find the width.
12. If AB is a straight line, find x.

4x
x (3x + 20)
A B

13. If the perimeter of the triangle is 22 cm, find the length of

the shortest side.

3x + 1 2x − 1

x+4

70
 2.4 Problems solved by linear equations
Algebra 1

14. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 34 cm, find x.

x−1
15. The difference between two numbers is 9.
Find the numbers if their sum is 46.
x+4
16. The three angles in a triangle are in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5.
Find them.
17. The three angles in a triangle are in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5.
Find them.
18. The product of two consecutive odd numbers is 10 more
than the square of the smaller number.
Find the smaller number.
19. The product of two consecutive even numbers is 12 more
than the square of the smaller number. Find the numbers.
20. The sum of three numbers is 66. The second number is
twice the first and six less than the third.
Find the numbers.
21. The sum of three numbers is 28. The second number is
three times the first and the third is 7 less than the second.
What are the numbers?
22. David’s mass is 5 kg less than Sucha’s, who in turn is 8 kg
lighter than Paul. If their total mass is 197 kg, how heavy
is each person?
23. Nilopal is 2 years older than Devjan who is 7 years older
than John. If their combined age is 61 years, find the age of
each person.
24. Kim has four times as many marbles as Ava. If Kim gave 18
to Ava they would have the same number.
How many marbles has each person?
25. Mukat has five times as many books as Usha. If Mukat
gives 16 books to Usha, they will each have the same
number. How many books does each girl have?
26. The result of multiplying a number by 3 is the same as
adding 12 to it. What is the number?
27. Find the area of the rectangle if the perimeter is 52 cm.
2x + 3
28. The result of multiplying a number by 3 and subtracting
5 is the same as doubling the number and adding 9.
Find the number. 3x − 1

71
Algebra 1

29. Two girls have $76 between them. If the first girl gave the
second girl $7, they would each have the same amount of
money. How much does each girl have?
30. A tennis racket costs $12 more than a hockey stick.
If the price of the two is $31, find the cost of the
tennis racket.

Example
A man leaves home at 16:42 and walks to a library, 6 km away,
arriving at 17:30. He walked part of the way at 5 km/h and then,
realising the time, he ran the rest of the way at 10 km/h.
How far did he run?
Let the distance he ran be x km.
Then the distance he walked = (6 − x) km.
Time taken to walk (6 − x) km Tip
(6 − x ) Use the formula
at 5 km/h = hours.
5 distance .
Time taken to run x km at time =
speed
x
10 km/h = hours.
10
Total time taken = 48 minutes
48 4
= hour = hour
60 5
(6 − x ) x 4
∴ + =
5 10 5
Multiply by 10:
2(6 − x ) + x = 8
12 − 2x + x = 8
4 = x
He ran a distance of 4 km.
Check:
4 2
Time to run 4 km = = hour
10 5
2
Time to walk 2 km = hour
5
2 2 4
Total time taken =  +  = hour
5 5 5

72
 2.4 Problems solved by linear equations
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.4B
1. Every year a man is paid $500 more than the previous year.
If he receives $17 800 over four years, what was he paid in
the first year?
2. Samir buys x cans of soda at 80 cents each and (x + 4) cans
of soda at 85 cents each. The total cost was $8.35. Find x. Tip
3. The length of a straight line segment ABC is 5 m. Opposite angles
If AB : BC = 2 : 5, find the length of AB. of a cyclic
quadrilateral add
4. The opposite angles of a cyclic quadrilateral are (3x + 10)°
to 180°.
and (2x + 20)°. Find the angles.
5. The interior angles of a hexagon are in the ratio Tip
1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 : 9. Find the angles.
Interior angles
6. A woman is 32 years older than her son. Ten years ago, she of a hexagon add
was three times as old as her son was at that time. to 720°.
Find the current age of the woman and her son.
7. A bus is travelling with 48 passengers. When it arrives at
a stop, x passengers get off and 3 get on. At the next stop
half the passengers get off and 7 get on. There are now
22 passengers. Find x.
8. A bus is travelling with 52 passengers. When it arrives at a
stop, y passengers get off and 4 get on. At the next stop one-
third of the passengers get off and 3 get on. There are now
25 passengers. Find y.
9. In a regular polygon with n sides, each interior angle
is  180 − 360  degrees. How many sides does a polygon
 n 
have if each interior angle is 156°?
k
10. Consider the equation = 12 where k is any number
x
between 20 and 65 and x is a positive integer. What are the
possible values of x?
Tip
11. Mahmoud runs to a marker and back in 15 minutes. His
speed on the way to the marker is 5 m/s and his speed on Formulae for
speed, distance
the way back is 4 m/s. Find the distance to the marker.
and time are
12. A car completes a journey in 10 minutes. For the first half studied in detail
of the journey the speed was 60 km/h and for the second in section 3.6 on
half the speed was 40 km/h. How far is the journey? page 111.

73
Algebra 1

2.5 Simultaneous equations

To find the value of two unknowns in a problem, two different
equations must be given that relate the unknowns to each other.
These two equations are called simultaneous equations. There
are two algebraic ways to solve simultaneous equations: the
substitution method and the elimination method. You can also
solve simultaneous equations graphically.

Substitution method
This method is used when one equation contains a unit quantity of
one of the unknowns, as in equation (2) of the example below.

Example
3x − 2y = 0 (1)
2x + y = 7 (2)
Label the equations so that the working is made clear.
In this case, write y in terms of x from equation (2).
Substitute this expression for y into equation (1) and solve
to find x.
Find y from equation (2) using this value of x.
2x + y = 7 (2)
y = 7 − 2x
Substituting into (1)
3 x − 2(7 − 2x ) = 0
3 x − 14 + 4 x = 0
7 x = 14
x =2
Substituting into (2)
2×2+ y = 7
y =3
The solutions are x = 2, y = 3.
3×2−2×3=0
2×2+3=7
These values of x and y are the only pair which simultaneously
satisfy both equations.

74
 2.5 Simultaneous equations
Algebra 1

Exercise 2.5A
Use the substitution method to solve these simultaneous equations.
1. 2x + y = 5 2. x + 2 y = 8 3. 3 x + y = 10
x + 3y = 5 2x + 3 y = 14 x−y =2
4. 2x + y = −3 5. 4 x + y = 14 6. x + 2 y = 1
x − y = −3 x + 5 y = 13 2x + 3 y = 4
7. 2x + y = 5 8. 2x + y = 13 9. 7 x + 2 y = 19
3x − 2 y = 4 5x − 4 y = 13 x−y =4
10. b − a = −5 11. a + 4b = 6 12. a + b = 4
a + b = −1 8b − a = −3 2a + b = 5
1
13. 3m = 2n − 6 14. 2w + 3 x − 13 = 0 15. x + 2( y − 6 ) = 0
2
x + 5w − 13 = 0 3 x + 4 y = 30
4m + n = 6
16. 2x = 4 + z 17. 3m − n = 5 18. 5c − d − 11 = 0
6 x − 5z = 18 2m + 5n = 7 4d + 3c = −5

It is useful at this point to revise the operations of addition

and subtraction with negative numbers.

Example
Simplify:
a) −7 + (−4) = −7 − 4 = −11
b) −3x + (−4x) = −3x − 4x = −7x
c) 4y − (−3y) = 4y + 3y = 7y
c) 3a + (−3a) = 3a − 3a = 0

Exercise 2.5B
Evaluate:
1. 7 + −6 2. 8 + −11 3. 5 − +7
4. 6 − −9 5. −8 + −4 6. −7 − −4
7. 10 + −12 8. −7 − +4 9. −10 − +11
10. −3 − −4 11. 4 − +4 12. 8 − −7
13. −5 − +5 14. −7 − −10 15. 16 − +10

75
Algebra 1

16. −7 − +4 17. −6 − −8 18. 10 − +5

19. −12 + −7 20. 7 + −11

Simplify:
21. 3x + −2x 22. 4x + −7x 23. 6x − +2x
24. 10y − +6y 25. 6y − −3y 26. 7x + −4x
27. −5x + −3x 28. −3x − −7x 29. 5x − +3x
30. −7y − −10y

Elimination method
Often there is a quicker way to solve simultaneous equations than
using substitution.
If the coefficient of one of the variables can be made the same
number in both equations by multiplying or dividing all the terms,
then you can subtract one equation from the other, if the signs of
those coefficients are the same, or add the two equations together
if they are different.

Example 1
x + 2y = 8 (1)
2x + 3y = 14 (2)
Label the equations so that the working is made clear.
Multiply one or both equations by a factor or factors, such that the coefficient of
one of the unknowns is the same in both equations.
Eliminate this unknown from the two equations by adding or subtracting them, and then
solve for the remaining unknown.
Substitute into the first equation and solve for the eliminated unknown.
x + 2y = 8 (1)
(1) × 2 2x + 4y = 16 (3)
2x + 3y = 14 (2)
Subtract (2) from (3):
y=2
Substituting into (1): Check:
x+2×2=8 4+2×2=8
x=8−4 2 × 4 + 3 × 2 = 14
x=4
The solutions are x = 4, y = 2.

76
 2.5 Simultaneous equations
Algebra 1

Example 2
2x + 3y = 5 (1)
5x − 2y = −16 (2)
(1) × 5 10x + 15y = 25 (3)
(2) × 2 10x − 4y = −32 (4)
(3) − (4) 15y − (−4y) = 25 − (−32)
19y = 57
y=3
Substitute into (1) Check:
2x + 3 × 3 = 5 2 × (−2) + 3 × 3 = 5
2x = 5 − 9 = −4 5 × (−)2 − 2 × 3 = −16
x = −2
The solutions are x = −2, y = 3.

Note that you can choose which variable to eliminate. Your

choice will often be based on the coefficients of the variables in
the original equations. In Example 2, you could have eliminated
y instead of x:
(1) × 2 4x + 6y = 10 (3)
(2) × 3 15x − 6y = −48 (4)

(3) + (4) 19x = −38

x = −2
You get to the same answer of x = −2, y = 3 when you substitute
x = −2 into (1) or (2).

Exercise 2.5C
Use the elimination method to solve these simultaneous equations.
1. 2x + 5 y = 24 2. 5x + 2 y = 13 3. 3 x + y = 11
4 x + 3 y = 20 2x + 6 y = 26 9 x + 2 y = 28
4. x + 2 y = 17 5. 3 x + 2 y = 19 6. 2a + 3b = 9
8 x + 3 y = 45 x + 8 y = 21 4a + b = 13
7. 2x + 3 y = 11 8. 3 x + 8 y = 27 9. 2x + 7 y = 17
3 x + 4 y = 15 4 x + 3 y = 13 5x + 3 y = −1

77
Algebra 1

10. 5x + 3 y = 23 11. 7 x + 5 y = 32 12. 3 x + 2 y = 4

2x + 4 y = 12 3 x + 4 y = 23 4 x + 5 y = 10
13. 3 x + 2 y = 11 14. 3 x + 2 y = 7 15. x + 2 y = −4
2x − y = −3 2x − 3 y = −4 3x − y = 9

16. 5x − 7 y = 27 17. 3 x − 2 y = 7 18. x − y = −1

3 x − 4 y = 16 4 x + y = 13 2x − y = 0
19. y − x = −1 20. x − 3 y = −5 21. x + 3 y − 7 = 0
3x − y = 5 2 y + 3x + 4 = 0 2y − x − 3 = 0
22. 3a − b = 9 23. 3 x − y = 9 24. x + 2 y = 4
2a + 2b = 14 4 x − y = −14 1
3x + y = 9
2
25. 2x − y = 5 26. 3 x − y = 17 27. 3 x − 2 y = 5
x y x y 2x y 7
+ =2 + =0 + = −
4 3 5 2 3 2 9
28. 2x = 11 − y 29. 4 x − 0.5 y = 12.5 30. 0.4 x + 3 y = 2.6
x y 3 x + 0 .8 y = 8 .2 x − 2 y = 4 .6
+ =1
5 4

2.6 Problems solved by simultaneous equations

Example 1
In 1985, a motorist bought 24 litres of fuel and 5 litres of oil
for $10.70, while another motorist bought 18 litres of fuel and
10 litres of oil for $12.40. Find the cost of 1 litre of fuel and
1 litre of oil at this garage.
Let cost of 1 litre of fuel be x cents.
Let cost of 1 litre of oil be y cents.
You know: 24x + 5y = 1070 (1)
18x + 10y = 1240 (2)
Multiply (1) by 2,
48x + 10y = 2140 (3)
Subtract (2) from (3),
3x = 900
x = 30

78
 2.6 Problems solved by simultaneous equations
Algebra 1

Substitute x = 30 into equation (2):

18(30 ) + 10 y = 1240
10 y = 1240 − 540
10 y = 700
y = 70
1 litre of fuel cost 30 cents, and 1 litre of oil cost 70 cents.

Example 2
A boat can sail at 18 knots with the current and at 12 knots
against it. Find the speed of the current and the speed of the
boat in still water.
Let the speed of the boat in still water be x knots.
Let the speed of the current be y knots.
You have: x + y = 18 (1)
x − y = 12 (2)
Add (1) to (2):
2x = 30
x = 15
Substituting x = 15 into equation (1) gives y = 3.
Therefore, the speed of the boat in still water is 15 knots
and the speed of the current is 3 knots.

Exercise 2.6A
Solve each problem by forming a pair of simultaneous equations.
1. Find two numbers with a sum of 15 and a difference of 4.
2. Twice one number added to three times another number
gives 21. Find the numbers, if the difference between them
is 3 and both the numbers are whole numbers.
3. The average of two numbers is 7, and three times the Tip
difference between them is 18. Find the numbers.
To find the
average of two
numbers you add
them and divide
the total by 2.

79
Algebra 1

4. The line, with equation y + ax = c, passes through the

points (1, 5) and (3, 1). Find a and c.
Tip
For the point
5. The line y = mx + c passes through (2, 5) and (4, 13).
(1, 5) put x = 1
Find m and c.
and y = 5 into
6. The curve y = ax2 + bx passes through (2, 0) and (4, 8). y + ax = c, etc.
Find a and b.
7. A gardener buys fifty carrot seeds and twenty lettuce seeds
for $1.10 and her mother buys thirty carrot seeds and forty
lettuce seeds for $1.50. Find the cost of one carrot seed and
one lettuce seed.
8. A shop owner can either buy two torches and three boxes of
batteries for $17.50 or four torches and one box of batteries
for $12.50. Find the cost of one torch and one box of batteries.
9. Half of the difference between two numbers is 2. The sum
of the greater number and twice the smaller number is 13.
Find the numbers.
10. Three white eggs and two brown eggs have a mass of
13 grams, while five white eggs and four brown eggs have
a mass of 24 grams. Find the mass of a brown egg and of a
white egg.
11. A tortoise makes a journey in two parts: it can either walk
at 4 cm/s or crawl at 3 cm/s. If the tortoise walks the first
part and crawls the second, it takes 110 seconds. If it crawls
the first part and walks the second, it takes 100 seconds.
Find the lengths of the two parts of the journey.
12. A cyclist completes a journey of 500 m in 22 seconds, part
of the way at 10 m/s and the remainder at 50 m/s. How far
does she travel at each speed?
13. A machine takes only 10 cent and 50 cent coins and
contains a total of twenty-one coins altogether. If the value
of the coins is $4.90, find the number of coins of each value.
14. Thirty tickets were sold for a concert; some at 60 cents and
the rest at $1. If the total raised was $22, how many had
the cheaper tickets?
15. A fish can swim at 14 m/s in the direction of the current and
at 6 m/s against it. Find the speed of the current and the
speed of the fish in still water.

80
 Algebra 1
2.6 Problems solved by simultaneous equations

16. If the numerator and denominator of a fraction are

2
both decreased by 1, the new fraction is equivalent to 3 .
But, if the numerator and denominator are both increased
3
by 1, the fraction is equivalent to 4 . Find the original
fraction.
17. Three years from now, a pet mouse will be as old as
his owner was four years ago. Their present ages total
13 years. Find the age of each now.
18. Find two numbers where three times the smaller number
exceeds the larger by 5 and the sum of the numbers is 11.
19. A straight line passes through the points (2, 4) and (−1, −5).
Find its equation.
20. A wallet containing $40 has three times as many $1 notes Tip
as $5 notes. Find the number of each kind.
The general form
21. At the present time a man is four times as old as his of the equation of
son. Six years ago he was 10 times as old. Find their a straight line is
present ages. y = mx + c.

22. A submarine can travel at 25 knots with the current and at

16 knots against it. Find the speed of the current and the
speed of the submarine in still water.
23. The curve y = ax2 + bx + c passes through the points (1, 8),
(0, 5) and (3, 20). Find the values of a, b and c and hence
the equation of the curve.
24. The curve y = ax2 + bx + c passes through the points (1, 4),
(−2, 19) and (0, 5). Find the equation of the curve.
25. The curve y = ax2 + bx + c passes through (1, 8), (−1, 2) and
(2, 14). Find the equation of the curve.
26. The curve y = ax2 + bx + c passes through (2, 5), (3, 12) and
(−1, −4). Find the equation of the curve.

81
Algebra 1

Revision exercise 2
1. Solve these equations. 8. Solve these simultaneous equations.
a) x + 4 = 3x + 9 a) 7c + 3d = 29
b) 9 − 3a = 1 5c − 4d = 33
2. Given a = 3, b = 4 and c = −2, evaluate: b) 2x − 3 y = 7
a) 2a2 − b 2 y − 3 x = −8
b) a(b − c) c) 5x = 3(1 − y )
c) 2b2 − c2 3x + 2 y + 1 = 0

3. Solve these simultaneous equations. d) 5s + 3t = 16

a) 3 x + 2 y = 5 11s + 7t = 34
2x − y = 8 9. Solve these equations.
b) 2m − n = 6 a) 4(2x − 1) − 3(1 − x) = 0
2m + 3n = −6 x+3
b) =2
x
c) 3 x − 4 y = 19
10. Given that m = −2, n = 4, evaluate:
x + 6 y = 10
a) 5m + 3n
d) 3 x − 7 y = 11
b) 5 + 2m − m2
2x − 3 y = 4
c) m2 + 2n2
4. Given that x = 4, y = 3, z = −2, evaluate: d) (2m + n)(2m − n)
a) 2x(y + z) b) (xy)2 − z2 e) (n − m)2
c) x + y + z
2 2 2
d) (x + y)(x − z) f ) n − mn − 2m2
xy
e) x (1 − 4 z ) f) 11.Given that a + b = 2 and that a2 + b2 = 6,
z
show that 2ab = −2.
5. a) Expand and simplify Find also the value of (a − b)2.
(x − 2)(x − 3)(x − 4).
12. A jar contains 50 US coins, containing a
b) Expand and simplify (2x − 3)3.
mixture of dimes (10 cents) and quarters
6. Solve these equations. (25 cents). The total value of the coins is
a) 5 − 7x = 4 − 6x $9.35. How many dimes are there?
7 2 13. Pat bought 45 stamps, some for 40c
b) =
x 3 and some for 58c. If he spent $22.50
2x − 3 y
7. Find the value of when x = 2a altogether, how many 40c stamps did
5x + 2 y
and y = −a. he buy?

82
 Algebra 1

Examination-style exercise 2

NON-CALCULATOR
5 11 x
1. a)+ = Work out the value of x. [1]
7 14 2
7 4 35
b) ÷ = Work out the value of y. [1]
4 y 16
2. Solve these simultaneous equations.
4 x + y = 17
[3]
3 x − 2 y = 10
3. Solve these equations.
2x
a) − 12 = 0 [2]
3
x+8 8x − 1
b) = [2]
3 11
4. Solve these simultaneous equations.
0.3x + 2y = 17
[3]
0.6x + 3y = 27

5. a) Expand and simplify ( x − 3 )2 (3 x + 1). [3]

b) Fully simplify ( x − 3 )2 (3 x + 1) − ( x + 2)2 . [3]

83