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1.1 Solving Linear Equations

1. The document discusses solving linear equations in one variable. It provides 4 steps to solve linear equations: 1) simplify both sides, 2) collect variable terms, 3) collect constant terms, 4) make coefficients equal to 1. It also discusses how to clear fractions and decimals by multiplying both sides by a common denominator. 2. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving linear equations with parentheses, fractions, decimals, and multiple steps. Conditional equations, contradictions, and identities are also defined. 3. Steps are given to solve two example equations: 8x - 2(5 + 4x) = -10 and 30x - 5(2 + 6x) = 10.

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Ana Ramirez
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58 views4 pages

1.1 Solving Linear Equations

1. The document discusses solving linear equations in one variable. It provides 4 steps to solve linear equations: 1) simplify both sides, 2) collect variable terms, 3) collect constant terms, 4) make coefficients equal to 1. It also discusses how to clear fractions and decimals by multiplying both sides by a common denominator. 2. Examples are provided to demonstrate solving linear equations with parentheses, fractions, decimals, and multiple steps. Conditional equations, contradictions, and identities are also defined. 3. Steps are given to solve two example equations: 8x - 2(5 + 4x) = -10 and 30x - 5(2 + 6x) = 10.

Uploaded by

Ana Ramirez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Linear Equations in One Variable Section 1.

Linear Equations in One Variable

Solving a Linear Equation in One Variable

Step 1 Simplify both sides of the equation.


• Clear parentheses.
• Consider clearing fractions or decimals (if any are present) by multiplying both sides of the equation
by a common denominator of all terms.
• Combine like terms.
Step 2 Use the addition or subtraction property of equality to collect the variable terms on one side of the
equation.
Step 3 Use the addition or subtraction property of equality to collect the constant terms on the other side of the
equation.
Step 4 Use the multiplication or division property of equality to make the coefficient of the variable term equal to
1.
Step 5 Check your answer and write the solution set.

Solve a linear equation with parenthesis:

1. 8(𝑏 − 2) + 3𝑏 = −9(𝑏 − 1)

Clearing Fractions and Decimals

Solve a linear equation with fractions:

To clear fractions in an equation, we can multiply both sides of the equation by the least common denominator
(LCD) of all terms in the equation.

1 1 2
2. - y+4=- y+
2 10 5
3 2x 1 1 9 2
3. - = 4. - y+4=- y+
4 5 2 2 10 5

3x - 7 3 - 5 x 3 - 6 x 1 1 1
5. + = Note: The equation may also be written as (3x - 7) + (3 - 5 x) = (3 - 6 x)
2 3 5 2 3 5

The same procedure used to clear fractions in an equation can be used to clear decimals. Consider the equation

0.2 x - 53.6 = x

Changing decimals to fractions, the equation may be interpreted as

2 536
x- =x
10 10

This shows we can multiply all terms in the original equation by 10 to clear decimals
2 x - 536 = 10 x

6. 0.2 x - 3 = 1.3 x - 1.4 7. 0.04 ( a + 6 ) + a = 0.5

8. 0.5 x + 0.25 =
1 5 1
x+ Since is a repeating decimal, it is easiest if we change all coefficients to
3 4 3
fractions and then clear them.

9. For a student’s first semester at college, the college charges $105 per credit-hour plus a one time $50
admissions fee. The cost C (in $) for the first semester is given by C = 105h +50 where h is the number of credit-
hours taken. If a student is billed $1415, how many credit-hours is she taking?

Conditional Equations, Contradictions, and Identities

I. Conditional Equations
An equation that is true for some values of the variable but false for other values is called a conditional
equation.
For example: x - 1 = 3 is only true if 𝑥 = 4. The solution set is {4}.

II. Contradictions
Some equations have no solution, such as x - 4 = x + 3 . If we subtract x from both sides, we would get:
-4 = 3 , which is never true. The solution set is { } .

III. Identities
An equation that is true for all real numbers is called an identity. Consider the equation 2( x + 3) = 2 x + 6,
Eliminating the parenthesis will yield: 2 x + 6 = 2 x + 6
Subtracting 2𝑥 from both sides: 6 = 6, which is always true regardless of the value of x. The solution set is
{x | x is a real number}.

10. Solve: 8 x - 2(5 + 4 x) = -10

11. Solve: 30 x - 5(2 + 6 x) = 10

1 æ1 1ö
12. (4 x - 6) = 6 ç x - ÷ + 9
2 è3 2ø

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