Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities

1.1: Linear Equations

Objectives:
1. Solve a linear equation.
2. Solve equations that lead to linear equations.
3. Solve equations for the indicated variable.
4. Solve applied problems involving linear equations.

1.1 Vocabulary:
Solve ‫قم بحل‬ Equation ‫معادلة‬
Linear ‫مستبع‬ Solution ‫حل‬
Procedures ‫خطوات‬ Equivalent ‫متكافئ‬
Constant ‫ثابت‬ Variable ‫متغير‬
Identity ‫متطابقة‬ Conditional equation ‫معادلة شرطية‬
Inconsistent equation ‫معادلة متناقضة‬ Applied problems ‫مسائل تطبيقية‬
Required ‫المطلوب‬ Perimeter ‫محيط‬
Feet ‫قدم‬ Area ‫مساحة‬
Rectangle ‫مستطيل‬ Length ‫الطول‬
Width ‫العرض‬ Triangle ‫مثلث‬
Side ‫جانب\ضلع‬ Longer ‫اكبر‬
Less ‫اقل‬ Meter ‫متر‬

INTRODUCTION:

Janet’s temperature reading is 37.5 ℃. She wants to

know the formula for Fahrenheit from the formula 𝐶 =
5
(𝐹 − 32) and her temperature in Fahrenheit.
9

This problem models the literal equation, that we will

discuss and solve in this section.

1. Solve a linear equation.

Definitions:
 An equation in one variable is a statement in which two expressions, at least one
containing the variable, are equal.
 A solution is a value, which makes the equation true when substituted in the place
of a variable (such as 𝑥).

Definition:
 A linear equation in one variable is equivalent to an equation of the form
𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃 = 𝟎 𝒂≠𝟎 Standard Form
where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers and 𝑥 is a variable.The degree of this equation is 1.
𝒙+𝟑
For Example: 𝒙+𝟐=𝟎 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟏 = 𝟎 =𝟎
𝟒

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 1

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Solving Equation:
To solve an equation means to find all values that make the equation a true statement.
Such values are called solutions, and the set of all solutions is called the solution set.

Since an equation is a statement, it may be true or false, depending on the value of the
variable. Unless otherwise restricted, the acceptable values of the variable are those in
the domain of the variable.

Steps for Solving a Linear Equation:

1. List any restrictions on the domain of the variable (for equation that leads to linear
equation)
2. Simplify the algebraic expressions on each side.
3. Collect all the variable terms on one side and all the numbers, or constant
terms, on the other side.
4. Isolate the variable and solve.
5. Check the proposed solution in the original equation.
Example 1 Solve the following equations:

a) 𝑥 − 3 = 6 b) 𝑥 + 2 = −5

Rule: Add or Subtract the same amount from each side of the equation to keep the
equation balanced.
For any numbers 𝒂, 𝒃 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄, 𝐢𝐟 𝒂 = 𝒃, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂 + 𝒄 = 𝒃 + 𝒄 𝒐𝒓 𝒂−𝒄=𝒃−𝒄
c) 3𝑥 = 12 𝑥
d) = 6
2

Rule: Divide or multiply each side of the equation by the same number to keep the
equation balanced.
𝒂 𝒃
For any numbers 𝒂, 𝒃 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄, 𝐢𝐟 𝒂 = 𝒃, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂 ∙ 𝒄 = 𝒃 ∙ 𝐜 𝒐𝒓 = ,𝒄 ≠ 𝟎
𝒄 𝒄

e) 2x + 1 = 7 f) 5𝑥 − 9 = 3x + 7

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 2

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Example 2 Solve the following equations:
1 1
a) 2(𝑥 + 3) + 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 2) − 2 b) 𝑡−3= 𝑡−9
2 4

𝑥+1 𝑥+1 1 1 1
c) + =1 d) (𝑥 + 3) − 1 = (𝑥 − 5) +
7 3 2 3 4

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 3

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Types of Linear Equations
1) An identity is an equation that is satisfied for every value of the variable for which both
sides are defined.
For Example: Solve: 2(9𝑥 + 6) = 3(6𝑥 + 4)

2) A conditional equation is an equation that is satisfied for at least one value of the
variable but is not an identity.

For Example: Solve: 5(2 + 2𝑥) = 9(𝑥 − 3)

3) An inconsistent equation is an equation whose solution set is the empty set.

For Example: Solve: 6(𝑥 − 2) = 2(3𝑥 + 4)

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 4

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
2. Solve equations that lead to linear equations.

Example 3 Solve the following equations.

a) 4𝑥 2 − 25 = (2𝑥 + 5)(2𝑥 − 5) b) (𝑦 + 10)(𝑦 − 4) = (𝑦 + 2)2

2 3 1 3𝑥 6
c) = + d) +1=
𝑥−1 𝑥+3 (𝑥+3)(𝑥−1) 𝑥−2 𝑥−2

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 5

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Exercise 1 Solve the following equations.
2𝑥 5+𝑥 𝑥 4 3
a) = b) + =
2𝑥−1 𝑥−3 𝑥 2 −9 𝑥+3 𝑥 2 −9

3. Solve equations for the indicated variable.

Example 4 Solve the following equations for the indicated variable.

a) 2(𝑥 − 3𝑤) = −3(𝑥 + 𝑤) + 2𝑤𝑥, solve for 𝑥 b) 𝐴𝑟 = 𝑝(1 − 𝑟) , solve for 𝑟

1 1 1
c) + = , solve for ℎ
𝑝 𝑠 ℎ

d) Find the number 𝑎 for which 𝑥 = 4 is a solution of the given equation

𝑥 + 9𝑎 = 30 + 𝑎𝑥 − 8𝑎

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 6

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
4. Solve applied problems involving linear equations:

Steps for Solving Applied Problems:

Step 1: Read the problem carefully and note down what is given and what is required.
Step 2: Select a letter or letters to represent the unknown quantities asked for.
Step 3: Represent the word statements of the problem in the symbolic language step by step.
Step 4: Look for quantities, which are equal as per conditions given and form an equation or
equations.
Step 5: Solve the equations obtained.
Step 6: Check if your answer satisfies the requirements of the problem.

Consecutive Integers: 𝑥, 𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 + 2, … for integer 𝑥

Consecutive Even Integers: 𝑥, 𝑥 + 2, 𝑥 + 4, … for even integer 𝑥

Consecutive Odd Integers: 𝑥, 𝑥 + 2, 𝑥 + 4, … for odd integer 𝑥

Example 5 Solve applied problem.

a) Write an equation model that represents the following statement. Do not solve.
i) Four added to twice a number is five less than a number.

ii) Six less a number is twice a number decreased by 6.

iii) The sum of the first two consecutive even integer is 10.

iv) Twice the sum of the first two consecutive integers is three times the third integer.

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 7

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
b) The perimeter of a rectangle is 60cm. Find its length and width if the length is 8cm longer
than the width.

c) Find three consecutive even integers so that the first plus twice the second is twice the
third.

d) Janet wants to measure her temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (℉). Write a formula for
5
Fahrenheit from the formula 𝐶 = (𝐹 − 32). What is her temperature in Fahrenheit
9
temperature when her temperature reading is 37.5 ℃.

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 8

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Media: Use the link or the QR code to access the online resources for additional
instruction and practice.

Ex: Solving a Multi-Step Linear Equation in One Variable

Solve Basic Rational Equations

Solve a Rational Equation

Solving Rational Equations

Solve a Literal Equation for a Variable

Write and Solve a Linear Equations to

Solve a Number Problem

Write and Solve a Linear Equations to Solve a Number Problem (Consecutive

Integers)

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 9

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
Extra Exercises
1) Solve each equation.
a) 3𝑥 + 4 = 𝑥 b) 6 − 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 9

c) 8𝑥 − (3𝑥 + 2) = 3𝑥 − 10 d) 7 − (3 + 2𝑥) = 3(𝑥 − 4)

1 2 2 1 1
e) 𝑥 =2− 𝑥 f) 𝑝= 𝑝+
3 3 3 2 3

𝑥+1 𝑥+2 2𝑥+1

g) + =2 h) + 16 = 3𝑥
3 7 3

4 5 j) 𝑥(2𝑥 − 3) = (2𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 4)

i) −5=
𝑦 2𝑦

2𝑥 −6
k) 𝑧(𝑧 2 + 1) = 3 + 𝑧 2 l) = −2
𝑥+3 𝑥+3

2𝑥 4 3 6𝑟+7 3𝑟+8
m) = − n) =
𝑥 2 −4 𝑥 2 −4 𝑥+2 4𝑟−1 2𝑟−4

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 10

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities

2) Solve each formula for the indicated variable

a) 𝑚𝑥 − 𝑏 = 𝑐 ; solve for 𝑚 𝑎 𝑏
b) + =𝑐 ; solve for 𝑥
𝑥 𝑥

𝑎
c) 𝐴 = 𝑝(1 + 𝑟𝑡) ; solve for 𝑟 d) 𝑠 = ; solve for 𝑟
1−𝑟

2𝑥 5𝑥 f) Find the number 𝑏 for which 𝑥 = 2 is a

e) + =𝑐 , solve for 𝑥
𝑎 𝑏
solution of the equation
𝑥 + 2𝑏 = 𝑥 − 4 + 2𝑏𝑥

3) Solve applied problem

a) The perimeter of a rectangle is 72 feet. Find its length and width if the length is 3 less
than twice its width.

b). Find the length of each side of the following triangle if its perimeter is 16 cm.

𝑥
𝑥−2

𝑥+3
c) The difference of the squares of two consecutive odd integers is 32. Find the larger
integer.

d) Find a number such that 10 less than two-thirds the number is one-fourth the number.

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 11

 Elementary Algebra _ Chapter 1: Equations and Inequalities
e) Find four consecutive even integers whose sum is 340.

f) The formula for the area of the trapezoid is 𝐴 = ½ ℎ(𝑏1 + 𝑏2 ). Find a formula for the
height, ℎ of the trapezoid, and its value if the trapezoid has an area A of 60 square cm,
and the bases are 6 and 12 cm.

g) Going into the final exam, which will count as two tests, Brooke has test scores of 80,
83, 71, 61, and 95. What score does Brooke need on the final exam in order to have
an average score of 80?

h) Going into the final exam, which will count as two-thirds of the final grade, Mike has
test scores of 86, 80, 84, and 90. What score does Mike need on the final exam in order
to earn a B, which requires an average score of 80? Write an equation model that
represents this situation for the score 𝑥 on final exam. What score does he need to
earn a B?

Foundation Program/ Math Department Fall 2022 Page 12