- - ----

~
Types of Solutions of
linear Equations
A Check Skills What You'll Learn
':!J y011 II Need
1

To identify whether a linear equation in one variable has one,

1 vocabulary Review
· Avalue ofthe
infinitely many, or no solutions
va riable for
. which
. an
equation 1strue ,~ a

-
SoIV
? . of the equation.
e each equation.
I .
Why Learn This?
,
' .

-~-~
, check the so ut1on. Equations with variables on both sides can help
-~~~"'""·. ·
_ a + 4 = 4a - 2
22
J. 3W - 1 = -2(W + 3)
you check whether two ways of paying for ·•• .

something, such as swimming lessons, cost the same. • \··.

'{~·.•
. .-:.

+. . ~ ~--- ·
.
. ..~
! •. ~-"

. .. :oK
-
The equations solved in this chapter so far · .. I,~ ·• •. - .,:, :,
4. 3(Z - 2) = Sz + 1 • .,_ . i· •

have resulted in a variable equal to a number.

~ for Help Sometimes, solving an equation may result in a number equal to the same
~ Lesson2-4 number, or a different number. Each of these results indicates how many
solutions an equation has. This is summarized in the table below, where x
represents the variable and a and b represent different numbers.
CONTENT STANDARDS
~ EY CONCEPTS) Types of Solutions ')
8.EE.7, 8.EE.7a, 8.EE.7b
Algebraic Number of
Form Solutions Description
a =b None There are no values of the variable for which the
equation is true.
x=a One The equation is true for exactly one value of the variable.
a=a Infinitely many The equation is true for all values of the variable.

r 'EXAMPLE Identifying Types of Solutions

- "

O Tell whether each equation has one solution, infinitely many solutions,
or no solution. Justify your answer.
a. 2x - 4 = -x - l
2x + lx - 4 = -x + lx -1 <- Add 1xtoeachside.
3x - 4 = - 1 <- Simplify.
3x - 4 + 4 = - 1 + 4 <- Add 4 to each side.
3x = 3 <- Simplify.
x =l <- Divide both sides by 3.
The result is an equation of the form x = a. This equation is true
for exactly one value. So, the equation has one solution.

2-5 Types of Solutions of Linear Equations 71

 ' Vocabulary Tip b. 2¥ - 4 = 2(x - 2)
The possible solutions to an 2't" - 4 = 2x - 4 f- Use the Distributive Property.
equation that has infinitely 2't" - 4 - 2¥ = 2x - 4 - 2x f- Subtract 2x from each side.
many solutions are endless. -4 = -4 ~ Simplify.

The result is an equation of the form a = a. This equation is true

for all values of x . So, the equation has infinitely many solutions.
c. 2x - 4 = 2(x + 1)
2x - 4 = 2x + 2 f - Use the Distributive Property.

2x - 4 - 2x = 2x + 2 - 2x f - Subtract 2x from each side.

-4 = 2 f - Simplify.

The result is an equation of the form a= b. There are no values

of x for which the equation is true. So, the equation has no solution.
(i! Quick Check
1. Tell whether each equation has one solution, infinitely many
• for He"iji)
For help solving equations
with variables on both
sides, see Lesson 2-4,
I• solutions, or no solution. Justify your answer.
a. 5x + 8 = 5(x + 3)
c. 6x + 12 = 6(x + 2)
b. 9x = 8 + 5x
d. 7x - 11 = 11 - 7x
Examples 1 and 2 .
r ' EXAMPLE Application: Comparing Costs
8 Sports You want to take 10 lessons at a swim club. You can pay a
membership fee of $20 plus a fee per lesson. You can also decide
not to pay a membership fee. In that case, the fee per lesson is $3
more. Is there any lesson fee for which these two plans cost the
same? Justify your answer.
Words m ember ship + 10 lesson 10 ( le sson )
fee lessons fee = lessons · fee + $3

Equation Let f = lesson fee.

20 + 10 f 10 (f + 3)

~~/ 20 + 10/ = l0(f + 3)

20 + 1Of = l Of + 30 +- Use the Distributive Property.
Check the type of
solution by substituting + 10/- 10/ = 10/ + 30 - 10/ +- Subtract 10ffrom each side.
20
different values for the 20 = 30 +- Simplify.
variable in the original
equation. The result is an equation of the form a = b. So the equation has no
solution. There is no lesson fee for which these two plans cost the same.

(i! Quick Check

2. Admission to the museum is $8 for students and $16 for adults.
Yesterday, twice as many students as adults came to the museum.
j The total admissions paid by students and the total admissions
paid by adults were equal. Can you find the numbe r of adults that
e came to the muse um yesterday? Justify your an sw e r.

72 Chapter 2 Solving Linear Equations

 r~-Cliecli Your Unilerstanil'ing

1. Vocabulary When any value can be substituted for the variable

in an equation to create a true equation, the equation has _.1_
solution(s).

Match each equation to the correct number of solutions.

2. 4x + 8 = 4(x + 4) A. one
3. 5x = 9 + 2x B. infinitely many
4. X + 9 = 7X + 9 - 6x C. none

5. Reasoning What number could you substitute for a in the equation

6x + 9 = a(2x + 3) to create an equation with infinitely many
solutions? Explain.

r Aomeworl<Exercises ,
For more exercises, see Extra Skills and Word Problems.

Show whether each equation has one solution, infinitely many solutions,
or no solution. Justify your answer.
For Exercises See Example
6. 7x = 3x-12 7. 3x + 3 = 3(x + 1)
6-15
8. 22y = 11(3 + y) 9. - 3t + 1 = t + 9 - 4t
16 2
10. 16z - 24 = 8(2z - 3) 11. - 5w = 7 - 4w + 8
12. 4(-x - 1.6) = -4x + 6.4 13. 1 + C + 1.4 = C + 2.4
14
. ~s
15
3 -- 3 2 - l4
+ l.s 15. -ij(-n + ~) = ijn- ~
16. A recreation center offers a membership for $75. Members may
take classes for $10 each. Nonmembers must pay $15 for these
classes. How many classes could a nonmember take and pay the
same total amount as a member? Justify your answer.
17. Guided Problem Solving Six more than a number equals two
~. ...,. times the sum of one-half the number plus three. Is this statement
true for only one number, for all numbers, or for no numbers?
Explain your reasoning.
• Write an equation to represent the statement.
• Simplify the equation until an equivalent equation of the form
x = a, a = a, or a = b results.
18. Two more than a number equals three times the sum of one third of
the number plus six. Is this statement true for only one number, for
all numbers, or for no numbers? Explain your reasoning.
19. Open Ended The equation 20y + 4 = 4(3y + 1) has exactly one
solution. Change one number in the original equation to create a new
equation that has infinitely many solutions. Then change one number
in the new equation to create another equation that has no solution.

2-5 Types of Solut ions of Linear Equations 73

L
 . . bric from a store. He has the choice of
20. Geomet'"Y'. Greg_Is buying ~~e or feet wide. The diagrams show
3
buying fabnc that IS 2 feet WI b for d dollars.
how much fabric of each type he can uy h . th
. h .meter of both c mces e
a. For what value(s) of d 1st e pen
same? · h ?
.
b. For what va1ue ( s) o f d is the area of both ch01ces t e same.

3ftoo (2d - 4) ft

Writing in Math In the process of simplifying an equation, Marco

~ • nline 21 EiiiiC .,_. • ld h . .
· eliminated all the variables. How many solutions cou t e ongmal
Homework Video Tutor equation have? Explain your reasoning. .
PearsonSuccessNet.com
2 2. Open Ended Write three equations with the_ same vanabl~ on
each side. One equation should have one solution, or~e equation
should have infinitely many solutions, and one equation should have
no solutions. Justify your work.
23. Challenge Find the number of solutions of the equation
6(0.8 + 2z) - 3.2 = 4(3z - 0.3) + 2.8. Justify your answer.

Multiple Choice 24. Which equation has exactly one solution?

® 3x + 7 = 2x + 14 + x CO 3(x + 7) = 4x + 21 - x
® 3(x + 7) = 2(x + 7) + x ® 3x + 7 = 5x + 7 - 3x
25. For a party, you buy 2 dozen cupcakes and 3 quarts of ice cream. Your
friend buys 1 dozen cupcakes and 2 quarts of ice cream. Let d = cost
of a dozen cupcakes and q = cost of a quart of ice cream. Which
expression represents the total cost of the cupcakes and ice cream?
CD 2d + 2q CID 3d+5q
© 2d+3q CD 5d + 3q
26. You hike 3 mi west of your campsite. Then you hike 2 mi south. To
the nearest tenth of a mile, how far are you from your campsite?
® 5.0mi CD 3.2mi
® 3.6mi ® 2.2mi
27. A diagonal path thro_u gh a rectangular garden is 12 yd long. Toe
length of the garden 1s 11 yd. To the nearest tenth, what is the width
of the garden?
CD 1.0yd CID 16.3 yd
• for Help Vi t :J ® 4.8yd CD 23.0yd

L
For Exercises

28- 30 .........
I __
See Lesson

1- 1 _.
Write each fraction as a decimal.
13
28. 16
3
29. 11 30. 5
9
74 Chapter 2 Solving Linear Equations