Solving Linear Equations 27

2-5. Solving for a Specific Variable

A formula is an equation that states the relationship between two or more variables. Formulas and some
equations contain more than one variable. It is often useful to solve formulas for one of the variables.

Example 1 □ Solve each equation or formula for the specified variable.

1
a. 3x − a = kx + b , for x b.=A (a + b)h , for h
2
5
c.=C ( F − 32) , for F
9

Solution □ a. 3x − a = kx + b
3x − a − kx = kx + b − kx Subtract kx from each side.
3x − a − kx = b Simplify.
3x − a − kx + a = b + a Add a to each side.
3x − kx =b + a Simplify.
x(3 − k ) =b + a Distributive property
x(3 − k ) b + a
= Divide each side by 3 − k .
3− k 3− k
b+a
x= Simplify.
3− k

1
b.=
A ( a + b) h
2
1
2 ⋅ A = 2 ⋅ ( a + b) h Multiply each side by 2 .
2
2A= ( a + b) h Simplify.
2A ( a + b)
= h Divide each side by a + b .
a+b a+b
2A
h= Simplify.
a+b

5
c.=
C ( F − 32)
9
9 9 5 9
⋅ C = ⋅ ( F − 32) Multiply each side by .
5 5 9 5
9
C= F − 32 Simplify.
5
9
C + 32 = F − 32 + 32 Add 32 to each side.
5
9
=
F C + 32 Simplify.
5
Answers and Explanations 31

Answer Key 3. 12

Section 2-1 x−9

2 = 
x+3
9 less than twice x 3 more than x
1. 107 2. 13.5 3. 12 4. 7 5. 77 2x − 9 − x = x + 3 − x Subtract x from each side.
6. A 7. A 8. C x−9 = 3 Simplify.
x = 12
Section 2-2
4. 7
5
1. 29 2. 27 3. 4. 4 5. 136
2 c −8
4 =
20
6. B 7. C 8. C 8 less than 4 times c
4c − 8 + 8 = 20 + 8 Add 8 to each side.
Section 2-3 4c = 28 Simplify.
c=7
1. 6 2. 2 3. 3 4. 3 5. 52
6. 5 7. 48 8. 19 5. 77
Section 2-4 Let n = the smallest of four consecutive odd
integers. Then,
1
1. D 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. n + (n + 2) + (n + 4) + (n + 6) =
296 .
2 4n + 12 = 296
3 4n = 284
6. 7. 2 8. 0.8
4 n = 71
The greatest of the four consecutive odd
Section 2-5 integers is n + 6 . Therefore,
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. A 5.D n + 6 = 71 + 6 = 77
6. D
6. A
Chapter 2 Practice Test
3
a + 24 =
−9
1. C 2. B 3.C 4. D 5. C 4
 
6. A 7. B 8. D 9. 0 10. 1.43 the sum of three fourths of a and 24
11. 3 3
a + 24 − 24 =−9 − 24 Subtract 24 from each side.
4
3
a = −33 Simplify.
4
Answers and Explanations 4 3 4 4
⋅ a = (−33) Multiply each side by .
3 4 3 3
Section 2-1 a = −44
1. 107 7. A
+ 18
n =
125 1
( g − 23) =2g + 8
18 more than n
2 
 
n = 125 − 18 = 107 1
8 more than twice g
g is decrease by 23 and then multiplied by .
2
2. 13.5 1
( g − 23) ⋅ 2= (2 g + 8)2 Multiply each side by 2.
=
20 2w−7 2
7 less than twice w g − 23 = 4 g + 16 Simplify.
20 + 7 = 2 w − 7 + 7 Add 7 to each side. g − 23 + 23 = 4 g + 16 + 23 Add 23 to each side.
27 = 2w Simplify. =
g 4 g + 39 Simplify.
27 2 w
= Divide each side by 2. g − 4 g = 4 g + 39 − 4 g Subtract 4g .
2 2 −3 g = 39 Simplify.
13.5 = w Simplify.
g = −13
Answers and Explanations 33

3. 3 consecutive odd integers.

r s 39 r 2 39 4(n=
+ 4) 3n +
31
+ = and s = 2 . ⇒ + = 
3 times the least of 3 exceeds
3 11 33 3 11 33 4 times the greatest of 3
consecutive odd integers by 31
consecutive odd integers
To simplify the equation, multiply both sides of
the equation by 33, which is the LCD of 3 and 11. 4(n + 4) = 3n + 31
r 2
33( + ) =33 ⋅
39
⇒ 11r + 6 = 39 4n + 16 = 3n + 31 ⇒ n = 15
3 11 33
The greatest of the three consecutive odd integers
⇒ 11r = 33 ⇒ r = 3
is n + 4 = 15 + 4 = 19 .
4. 3
9 − 2k Section 2-4
= k −2
3
1. D
To simplify the equation, multiply both sides of
the equation by 3. 1
9 − 2k (9 − 6 x) =−5 2x
3( =) 3(k − 2) ⇒ 9 − 2k = 3k − 6 3
3 3 − 2 x =5 − 2 x Distributive Property
⇒ −2k − 3k =−6 − 9 ⇒ −5k = −15 3 − 2 x + 2 x =5 − 2 x + 2 x Add 2x to each side.
⇒ k =3 3=5
The given equation is equivalent to the false
5. 52 statement 3 = 5 . Therefore the equation has
Let p = the cost of a pair of pants. no solution.
Since a $48 shirts costs $22 more than one half
the cost of a pair of pants, you can set up the 2. D
following equation. 5( x − 2) − 3 x = 2( x − 10)
1 5 x − 10 − 3 x = 2 x − 20
=48 p + 22 Distributive Property
2 2 x − 10 = 2 x − 10 Simplify.
1
⇒ 26 = p ⇒ 52 = p The given equation is equivalent to
2 2 x − 10 = 2 x − 10 , which is true for all values
of x .
6. 5
n + 11 =
2 n−9
6 3. A
twice a number six times the number
increased by 11 decreased by 9 1
(15 − 6 x) =−
5 ax
2n + 11 = 6n − 9 ⇒ 20 = 4n ⇒ n = 5 3

7. 48 5 − 2 x =5 − ax Distributive Property
If the linear equation is an identity, the value
1 2
n+3 = n−5 of a is 2.
2 
 3 

one half of anumber five less than two thirds
increased by three of the number 4. C

To simplify the equation, multiply both sides of 4 x + 13 = 7( x − 2) + bx

the equation by 6, which is the LCD of 2 and 3. 4 x + 13 = 7 x − 14 + bx
1 2 4 x + 13 = (7 + b) x − 14
6( n + 3)= 6( n − 5)
2 3 If 4= 7 + b , the linear equation has no solution.
3n + 18 = 4n − 30 Solving for b yields b = −3 .
Solving for n yields n = 48 .
1
8. 19 5.
2
Let n be the first of the three consecutive odd 7 3
− (2n − 3) + 4n= (5 + 2n)
integers, so n , n + 2 , and n + 4 are the three 2 2
 CHAPTER 3
Functions and Linear Equations

3-1. Relations and Functions y

A coordinate plane is formed by the horizontal 4
line called the x - axis and the vertical line called Quadrant II 3 Quadrant I
the y - axis, which meet at the origin (0, 0) . 2
(−2, 2) (2,1)
The axes divide the plane into four parts called 1
quadrants. x
−4 −3 −2 −1 O 1 2 3 4
An ordered pair gives the coordinates and location −1
of a point. The ordered pairs (2,1) , (−2, 2) , (−4, −4) , −2 (3, −2)
and (3, −2) are located in Quadrant I, Quadrant II, Quadrant III −3 Quadrant IV
Quadrant III, and Quadrant IV respectively. (−4, −4) −4

A relation is a set of ordered pairs. A relation can

be represented by a graph, a table, or a mapping.
Table Mapping
The domain of a relation is the set of all x- coordinates
x y
and the range of a relation is the set of all y - coordinates x y
from the ordered pairs. −3 2
−3 2
A function is a special type of relation in which each
1 −1
element of the domain is paired with exactly one element 1 −1
of the range. 2 3
2 3

Example 1 □ Express each relation below as a set of ordered pairs and determine whether
it is a function.

a. b. c.
y
x y y
x
−3 7 1 −2
−1 −2 x 2 3
O
0 5 3 5

4 −9 4 −2

Solution □ a. {(−3, 7), (−1, −2), (0, −2), (4, −9)}

The mapping represents a function.

b. {(1,1), (−2,3), (−2, −1), (3, −4)}

The element −2 in the domain is paired with both 3 and −1 in the range.
This relation does not represent a function.

c. {(1, −2), (2,3), (3,5), (4, −2)}

The table represents a function.
Solving Linear Equations 29

Chapter 2 Practice Test

1 4
5 4 1
If x = , what is the value of x ? =P F ( v 2 + 1)
6 5 2

The above equation gives pressure P, which

3
A) is exerted by a fluid that is forced to stop
2 moving. The pressure depends on the initial
2 force, F , and the speed of the fluid, v . Which
B) of the following expresses the square of the
3
velocity in terms of the pressure and the force?
24
C)
25 A) v 2 = 2( P − F ) − 1
25
D) B) v 2 = 2( P − F − 1)
24
P
C)=
v 2 2( ) − 1
F
P−F
D) v 2 = 2( )
2 F

When one half of the number n is decreased

by 4, the result is −6 . What is three times n
added to 7?

A) −7 5
B) −5 One half of the number n increased by 10 is the
C) −3 same as four less than twice the number.

D) −1
Which of the following equations represents the
statement above?

1
A) (n + 10) = 2(n − 4)
2
3
1
B) n + 10 = 2(n − 4)
If 4 − 7x is 5 less than 23, what is the value 2
of 3x ?
1
C) n + 10 = 2n − 4
2
A) −12
1
B) −9 D) (n + 10) = 2n − 4
2
C) −6
D) −3
Functions and Linear Equations 39

Exercises - Relations and Functions

1 4
What is the domain of the function that contains 1
points at (−5, 2), (−2,1), (0, 2), and (4, −3) ? If f ( x) =−2 x + 7 , what is f ( x + 3) equal to?
2

A) − x + 1
A) {−3, 1, 2}
B) − x + 3
B) {−2, 1, 0} C) − x + 5
C) {−5, − 2, 1, 2} D) − x + 10

D) {−5, − 2, 0, 4}

g (=
x) kx3 + 3
2
For the function g defined above, k is a constant
x y
and g (−1) = 5 . What is the value of g (1) ?
−5 7
−2 −1
A) −3
2 4
5 8 B) −1
C) 1
Which of the following relation is a correct D) 3
representation of the mapping shown above?

A) {(−5, 7), (−2, −1), (2, 4), (5,8)}

6
B) {(−5,8), (−2, 7), (2, −1), (5,8)}
1
If f ( x + 1) =− x + 6 , what is the value of f (−3) ?
C) {(7, −5), (−1, −2), (4, 2), (8,5)} 2

D) {(8, −5), (7, −2), (−1, 2), (8,5)}

3
If point (7, b) is in Quadrant I and point (a, −3) 7
is in Quadrant III, in which Quadrant is the point
( a, b) ? f ( x=
) x2 − b

In the function above, b is a constant.

A) Quadrant I
If f (−2) = 7 , what is the value of f (b) ?
B) Quadrant II
C) Quadrant III
D) Quadrant IV
Functions and Linear Equations 41

Exercises - Rate of Change and Slope

1 3
y The graph of the linear function f passes through
(−3,3) the points (a,1) and (1, b) in the xy - plane. If the
slope of the graph of f is 1, which of the
following is true?
x
O
(0, −1)
A) a − b =
1
B) a + b =
1
C) a − b =2
What is the rate of change shown in the graph
of the line above? D) a + b =2

4
A) − 4
3
What is the slope of the line that passes through
3
B) − (3, 2) and (−1, −8) ?
4
3
C)
4
4
D)
3 5
What is the value of r if the line that passes
through (4,3) and (−5, r ) has a slope of −1 ?
2

x −3 0 3 6
y −1 1 3 5

What is the average rate of change for the relation 6

shown in the table above?
What is the value of a if the line that passes
5
1 through (a, 7) and (1, a ) has a slope of − ?
A) 9
3
1
B)
2
2 7
C)
3 − x + 4 y =6
5
D) What is the slope of the line in the equation above?
6 .
40 Chapter 3

3-2. Rate of Change and Slope

The average rate of change is a ratio that describes, on average, change in one quantity with respect
to change in another quantity. If x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable, then
change in y
the average rate of change = .
change in x
Geometrically, the rate of change is the slope of the line through the points ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 ) .
y2 − y1 change in y rise
The slope m of a line through ( x1 , y1 ) and ( x2 , y2 )=
is m = = .
x2 − x1 change in x run

positive slope negative slope zero slope undefined slope

y y y y

line slopes down horizontal line vertical line

line slopes up from left to right
from left to right
x x x x
O O O O

The standard form of a linear equation of a line is Ax + By =

C , in which A , B , and C are integers.

The x- coordinate of the point at which the graph of an equation crosses the x- axis is called the x - intercept.
To find the x- intercept, let y = 0 and solve the equation for x .
The y - coordinate of the point at which the graph of an equation crosses the y - axis is called the y - intercept.
To find the y - intercept, let x = 0 and solve the equation for y .
The intercepts of a line provide a quick way to sketch the line.
Values of x for which f ( x) = 0 are called zeros of the function f . A function’s zero is its x- intercept.

Example 1 □ The table at the right shows Evan’s height from Age (years) 12 14 16 18
age 12 to 18. Find the average rate of change
in Evan’s height from age 12 to 18. Height (inches) 61 64 68 70

change in height
Solution □ Average rate of change =
change in years
70 − 61 9
= = = 1.5 inches per year
18 − 12 6

Example 2 □ Find the slope of the line that passes through (3, −2) and (−5, 4) .

y2 − y1 4 − (−2) 6 3
Solution □ m= = = = −
x2 − x1 −5 − 3 −8 4

Example 3□ Find the x- intercept and y - intercept of 2 x + 3 y =

6.

Solution □ To find the x- intercept, let y = 0 .

2 x + 3(0) =6 ⇒ x=3 The x- intercept is 3.

To find the y - intercept, let x = 0 .

6 ⇒ y=2
2(0) + 3 y = The y - intercept is 2.