Chapter 1

Equations and
Inequalities
Equations
and
Inequalities

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 Linear Equations
1.1
• Basic Terminology of Equations
• Linear Equations
• Identities, Conditional Equations, and
Contradictions
• Solving for a Specified Variable (Literal
Equations)

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 Equations
An equation is a statement that two
expressions are equal.
x + 2 =9 11x = 5x + 6x x2 – 2x – 1 = 0
To solve an equation means to find all numbers
that make the equation a true statement. These
numbers are the solutions, or roots, of the
equation. A number that is a solution of an
equation is said to satisfy the equation, and the
solutions of an equation make up its solution
set. Equations with the same solution set are
equivalent equations.
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Addition and Multiplication
Properties of Equality
Let a, b, and c represent real numbers.

If a = b, then a + c = b + c.

That is, the same number may be

added to each side of an equation
without changing the solution set.

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Addition and Multiplication
Properties of Equality
Let a, b, and c represent real numbers.

If a = b and c ≠ 0, then ac = bc.

That is, each side of an equation may be

multiplied by the same nonzero number
without changing the solution set.

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Linear Equation in One
Variable
A linear equation in one variable is an
equation that can be written in the form

ax + b = 0,

where a and b are real numbers with a

≠ 0.

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 Linear Equations

A linear equation is also called a first-

degree equation since the greatest degree
of the variable is 1.
3 Linear
3 x  2 0 x 12 0.5( x  3) 2 x  6 equations
4
1
x  2 5  8 x 2  3 x  0.2 0 Nonlinear
x equations

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 Example 1 SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION

Solve 3(2 x  4) 7  ( x  5). Be careful

Solution 3(2 x  4) 7  ( x  5) with signs.
6 x  12 7  x  5 Distributive property
6 x  12 2  x Combine like terms.
6 x  12  x 2  x  x Add x to each side.
7 x  12 2 Combine like terms.
7 x  12  12 2  12 Add 12 to each side.
7 x 14 Combine like terms.

7 x 14 Divide each side

 , x 2 by 7.
7 7
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 Example 1 SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION

Check 3(2 x  4) 7  ( x  5) Original equation

?
3(2  2  4) 7  (2  5) Let x = 2.
A check of the
?
solution is
recommended. 3(4  4) 7  (7)
0 0 True

The solution set is {2}.

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 SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION
Example 2
WITH FRACTIONS

2x  4 1 1 7
Solve  x x .
3 2 4 3
Solution
Multiply by 12, the
LCD of the fractions.
 2x  4 1  1 7
12   x  12  x   Distribute the 12 to all
 3 2  4 3 terms within
parentheses.
 2x  4  1  1  7
12    12  x  12  x   12  
 3  2  4  3
Distributive property
4(2 x  4)  6 x 3 x  28 Multiply.
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 SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION
Example 2
WITH FRACTIONS

2x  4 1 1 7
Solve  x x .
3 2 4 3
Solution
8 x  16  6 x 3 x  28 Distributive property

14 x  16 3 x  28 Combine like terms.

11x  44 Subtract 3x; subtract 16.

x  4 Divide each side by 11.

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 SOLVING A LINEAR EQUATION
Example 2
WITH FRACTIONS

Check
2(  4)  4 1 ?
1 7
 (  4)  (  4)  Let x = − 4.
3 2 4 3
4 ? 7
 (  2)   1  Simplify.
3 3
10 10
  True
3 3
The solution set is {- 4}.
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 Identities, Conditional Equations,
and Contradictions

An equation satisfied by every number that

is a meaningful replacement for the variable
is an identity.

3( x  1) 3 x  3

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 Identities, Conditional Equations,
and Contradictions

An equation that is satisfied by some

numbers but not others is a conditional
equation.

2 x 4

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 Identities, Conditional Equations,
and Contradictions

An equation that has no solution is a

contradiction.

x x  1

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 Example 3 IDENTIFYING TYPES OF EQUATIONS

Determine whether each equation is an identity,

a conditional equation, or a contradiction.
(a)  2( x  4)  3 x  x  8
Solution  2( x  4)  3 x  x  8
Distributive
 2x  8  3 x x  8 property
Combine like
x  8 x  8 terms.
0 0 Subtract x and
add 8.
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 Example 3 IDENTIFYING TYPES OF EQUATIONS

Determine whether each equation is an identity,

a conditional equation, or a contradiction.
(a)  2( x  4)  3 x  x  8
Solution
0 0 Subtract x and add 8.

When a true statement such as 0 = 0 results,

the equation is an identity, and the solution
set is {all real numbers}.

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 Example 3 IDENTIFYING TYPES OF EQUATIONS

Determine whether each equation is an identity,

a conditional equation, or a contradiction.
(b) 5 x  4 11
Solution 5 x  4 11
5 x 15 Add 4 to each side.

x 3 Divide each side by 5.

This is a conditional equation, and its
solution set is {3}.

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 Example 3 IDENTIFYING TYPES OF EQUATIONS

Determine whether each equation is an identity,

a conditional equation, or a contradiction.
(c) 3(3 x  1) 9 x  7
Solution 3(3 x  1) 9 x  7
9 x  3 9 x  7 Distributive property

 3 7 Subtract 9x.

When a false statement such as −3 = 7 results,

the equation is a contradiction, and the solution
set is the empty set or null set, symbolized by .
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Identifying Types of Linear Equations
1. If solving a linear equation leads to a true
statement such as 0 = 0, the equation is an
identity. Its solution set is {all real numbers}.
2. If solving a linear equation leads to a single
solution such as x = 3, the equation is
conditional. Its solution set consists of a
single element.
3. If solving a linear equation leads to a false
statement such as −3 = 7, then the equation is
a contradiction. Its solution set is 0 .

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 Solving for a Specified Variable
(Literal Equations)
A formula is an example of a linear
equation (an equation involving letters).
This is the formula for simple interest.
I is the
variable for
simple
interest
I Prt t is the
variable for
years

P is the r is the
variable for variable for
dollars annual
interest rate
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 Example 4 SOLVING FOR A SPECIFIED VARIABLE

Solve for t.
(a) I Prt

Solution I Pr t Goal: Isolate t on one side.

I Pr t
 Divide each side by Pr.
Pr Pr
I I
t or t
Pr Pr

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 Solving for a Specified Variable
(Literal Equations)
This formula gives the future value, or
maturity value, A of P dollars invested for t
years at an annual simple interest rate r.
A is the

A P (1  r t )
t is the
variable
variable for
for future
years
or
maturity
value P is the
variable for r is the variable
dollars for annual simple
interest rate

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 Example 4 SOLVING FOR A SPECIFIED VARIABLE

Solve for P.
(b) A  P Pr t Goal: Isolate P, the
specified variable.

Solution A  P Pr t
Transform so that all
A P  Pr t terms involving P are on
one side.
A P (1  r t ) Factor out P.

A A
P or P Divide by 1 + rt.
1  rt 1  rt
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 Example 4 SOLVING FOR A SPECIFIED VARIABLE

Solve for x.
(c) 3(2 x  5a )  4b 4 x  2
Solution 3(2 x  5a )  4b 4 x  2 Solve for x.

6 x  15a  4b 4 x  2 Distributive property

Isolate the x-
6 x  4 x 15a  4b  2 terms on one
side.
Combine like terms. 2 x 15a  4b  2
15a  4b  2
Divide each side by 2. x
2
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 APPLYING THE SIMPLE INTEREST
Example 5
FORMULA

A woman borrowed $5240 for new furniture.

She will pay it off in 11 months at an annual
simple interest rate of 4.5%. How much
interest will she pay?
Solution I Pr t
r = 0.045
P = 5240
11
t= (year)
12
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 APPLYING THE SIMPLE INTEREST
Example 5
FORMULA

A woman borrowed $5240 for new furniture.

She will pay it off in 11 months at an annual
simple interest rate of 4.5%. How much
interest will she pay?
Solution I Pr t
 11 
I Prt 5240(0.045)  $216.15
 12 
She will pay $216.15 interest on her
purchase.
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