CHAPTER ONE

LINEAR EQUATIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETIVE APPLICATION

1.1 LINEAR EQUATION

Algebraic Expression - a mathematical statement indicating that numerical

quantities are linked by mathematical operations. E.g.
x+2, 2x + y
In algebraic expressions a letter always stands for a number. Therefore, we add,
subtract, multiply, divide and perform other mathematical operations on a letter.
In algebraic expression value or variables separated by + or – signs. These values
which are separated by + or – are called Terms. Terms are often called
monomials (mono = one). If an expression has more than one term, it is called
polynomials (poly = many). The letters in an algebraic expression are called
variables/ unknowns.

EQUATION - A mathematical statement that says two algebraic expressions are

equal. E.g. y = 2x + 3
- Is convenient and concise way of representing relationship
between quantities such as sales and advertising, profit and
time, cost and number of units manufactured, and so on.

Equations are used to model or represent real world situation.

Linear Equations - are equations with a variable and a constant with degree one.
- are equations whose terms (the part separated by +, -, =
signs) are a constant, or a constant times one variable to the
first power.
- Linear equations are equations whose slope is constant
throughout the line.

E.g. 2x - 3y = 7 - degree 1
- Constant 7
- Terms 2x &3y separated by the minus sign
However, 2x + 3xy = 7 is not a linear equation; b/c 3xy is a constant times the
product of two variables. No X2 terms, no
y terms & no XY terms are allowed.

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The general notation of a linear equation is Y = mx + b,
Where, m = slope
b = y-intercept.
It is worth noting that this formula or notation holds true for all lines that are not
parallel to the y-axis. A vertical line is represented by the equation X=a. In cost
out put relationship, b is the fixed cost, and m is the marginal cost. The cost
increases by the rate of the amount of the slope, m.

Slope ( M )=
∆x ( run
=)
∆ y rise/ fall Y 2 −Y 1
=
X2 − X1
,if X 1 ≠ X 2

Slope measures the steepness of a line. The larger the slope the steeper the line is
both in value & in absolute value. A line’s slope number tells us how much the
line falls (or rises) for a stated change in x. Slopes can assume 4 different values:
negative, positive, 0 and undefined.

 The line that is parallel to the X- axis is the gentlest of all lines, m= 0
 The line that is parallel to the Y - axis is the steepest of all lines, m = 

The slope of a line is defined as the change taking place along the vertical axis
relative to the corresponding change taking place along the horizontal axis, or,
THE CHANGE IN THE VALUE OF Y RELATIVE TO A ONE - UNIT CHANGE
IN THE VALUE OF X.
In linear equation of Y= mx + b, the coefficient of the independent variable is the
slope of the line and the constant that stands alone is the vertical (y) intercept.
That is, Dependent variable = (slope x independent Variable) + Intercept.

Intercepts - Those points at which the graph of a line, L, crosses the axes are
called intercepts. The X-intercept is the point at which the line crosses the X-axis
and it is found at (X, 0) and the Y-intercept is the point at which the y-axis is
crossed. Its coordinate is at (0, y).

DEVELOPING THE EQUATION OF A STRAIGHT LINE

There are at least three way of developing the equation of a line, these are:
1. The slope - intercept form
2. The slope - point form
3. Two-points form.
1. THE SLOPE-INTERCEPT FORM

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 This way of developing the equation of a line involves the use of the slope and
the intercept to formulate the equation. Often the slope and y-intercept for a
specific linear function are obtained directly from the description of the situation
we wish to model.
E.g. Slope=10
Y-intercept=20

A line that has a slope of 10 and a y-intercept of 20 has the following equation:
Y=10x +20

2. Suppose the fixed cost (set up cost) for producing product x be Birr 2,000. After
setup it costs Birr 10 per x produced. If the total cost is represented by y:
1. Write the equation of this relationship in slope intercept form.
2. State the slope of the line and interpret this number.
3. State the y-intercept of the line and interpret this number.
3. A Salesman has a fixed base salary of Br 200 a week. In addition, he receives a
sales commission that is 20 percent of his total Birr values of sales. State the
relationship between the salesman’s total weekly salary and his sales for the
week. Answer: Y = 0.2x + 200

2. THE SLOPE - POINT FORM

The equation of a non-vertical line, L, with slope, m that passes through the point
(x, y is: [Y −Y 1=m( X − X 1 )]

Slope = 4, point (1, 2), the equation becomes Y = 4X-2

2. A salesman earns a weekly base salary plus a sales commission of 20% of his total
weekly sales. When his total weekly sales total Birr 1000, his total salary for the
week is Birr 400. Derive the formula describing the relationship between total
salary and sales. Answer: Y = 0.2x + 200
3. If the relationship between total cost and the number of units made is linear, and
if cost increases by Birr 7 for each additional unit made, and if the total cost of 10
units is Br 180, find the equation of the relationship between total cost (Y) and
number of units made (x). Answer: 7x + 110

3. TWO - POINTS FORM

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 Two points completely determine a straight line and, of course, they determine
the slope of the line.
Hence we can first compute the slope, and then use this value of slope (m)
together with either point in the point-slope form: Y-Y 1 =m (X-X1) to generate the
equation of a line. Alternatively, the following formula can also be used:
Y 2− Y 1
(Y −Y 1 )= (X − X 1)
X2− X1
E.g.
1. (1, 10) (6, 0)
0  10 10
  2
First, find the slope = 6  1 5 , then use the Slope-point form.

Y-Y1 = M (X-X1) = Y-10 = - 2 (X-1)

Y-10 = -2X + 2
Y = -2X + 2
2. A sales man has a base salary and, in addition, receives a commission, which is a
fixed percentage of his sales volume. When his weekly sales are Birr 1000, his
total salary is Birr 400. When his weekly sales are Birr 500, his total salary is Birr
300. Determine his base salary and his commission percentage and express the
relationship between sales and salary in equation form. Answer: Y = 0.2x + 200
3. A printer quotes the price of Birr 1,400 for printing 100 copies of a report and Birr
3000 for printing 500 copies. Assuming a linear relationship what would be the
price for printing 300 copies? Answer: Birr 2,200.

Horizontal and Vertical Lines

Horizontal lines are lines whose slope is zero. These lines are parallel to the X-
axis. Vertical lines are lines whose slope is undefined. These lines are parallel to
the Y-axis. When the equation of a line is to be determined from two given
points, it is a good idea to compare corresponding coordinates because if the y
values are the same the line is horizontal, and if the x values are the same the line
is vertical.

Example
a) Given the points (3, 6) & (8, 6) - the line through them is horizontal because
both y-coordinates are the same (6). The equation of the line becomes y=6.
b) Given the points (5, 2) and (5, 12), the line that passes through them is
vertical, and its equation is x = 5. If we proceed to apply the point - slope

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 12  2 10
 
procedure, we would obtain 5  5 0 , and if m =  the line is vertical and
the form of the equation is: x = constant.

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Two lines are parallel if the two lines have the same slope, and two lines are
perpendicular to each other if the product of their slopes is - 1 or the slope of one
is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the other. However, for vertical and
horizontal lines, (they are perpendicular to each other), this rule of m 1 . m2 = -1
doesn’t hold true.

Example:
1. Y= 2x-10 and Y=2x+14 are parallel.
3 2
2. Y= 2 x +10 and Y = 3 x +100 are perpendicular to each other.

Lines through the Origin

Any equation in the variables x and y that has no constant term other than zero
will have a graph that passes through the origin. Or, a line that passes through
the origin has an x-intercept and a y-intercept of (0,0). These lines are expressed
in the form Y = mx.
1.2. APPLICATIONS OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

1.2.1. LINEAR COST-OUT PUT RELATION SHIPS - VC, FC, TC, AC, MC, TR

TC= VQ+FC
TR = PQ
T = TR – TC
= PQ - (VQ + FC)
= Q (P-V) + FC
WHERE
Q = UNITS PRODUCED

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Interpretation of the graph
1. There is no revenue without sales (Because total revenue passes through the
Origin), but there is cost without production (Because of total fixed cost) and
the total cost function starts form B and doesn’t pass through the Origin.
2. Up to point P, total cost is greater than total revenue and results in loss while
at point P, TR = TC = Break even (zero profit), and above point P, TR >TC and
results in profit.
3. TFC remains constant regardless of the number of units produced, given that
there is no any difference in scale of production. That is there is no either
expansion or contraction of the business.
4. As production increases, TVC increases at the same rate and MC = V only in
linear equations.
5. As production increases TC increases by the rate equal to the V = MC.
6. Unit variable cost V is the same throughout any level of production, however
AFC decreases when Q increases and ultimately ATC decreases when Q
increases because of the effect of the decrease in AFC.
7. As Q increases TR increases at a rate of P and AR remains constant.
TR p. Q
  AR  P 
AR = Q Q in linear functions.

1.2.2. BREAK EVEN ANALYSIS

BEP (Breakeven point) is the point at which there is no loss or profit to the
company. It can be expressed either in terms of production quantity or revenue
level depending on how the company states its cost equation.

Manufacturing companies usually state their cost equation in terms of quantity

(because they produces and sell) where as retail business state their cost equation
in terms of revenue (because they purchase and sell)

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Case 1. Manufacturing Companies
Consider a company with equation TR = PQ
TC = VQ + FC

At BEP, TR = TC where:
PQe = VQe + FC Qe = break even quantity
PQe - VQe = FC FC = fixed cost
Qe (P-V) = FC P = unit selling price
FC
Q e= V= unit variable cost
P −V

Assumptions of Breakeven Analysis

1. Selling price is constant throughout the entire relevant range [relevant range
– is the limit of cost-driver activity within a specified relationship between
costs and the cost driver is valid].
2. Costs are linear over the relevant range.
3. In multi-product companies, the sales mix is constant.
4. In manufacturing firms, inventories do not change (Units produced = Units
sold).
5. Expenses may be classified in to variable and fixed categories. Total variable
expenses vary directly with activity level. Total fixed expenses do not change
with activity level.
6. Efficiency and productivity will be unchanged.

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Example
1. A manufacturing company has a fixed cost of 10,000 and a unit
variable cost of Birr 5. If the company can sell what it produces at a
price of Birr 10,
A. Write the revenue , cost and profit equations
B. Find the breakeven point in terms of quantity (sales volume)
revenue.
C. Interpret the results.
D. Show diagrammatically the TR, TC, TP, BEP, TFC & TVC
The Effect of Changing One Variable Keeping Others Constant on BEP
Case 1: Change in Fixed Cost

Assume for the above problem FC is decreased by Br 5,000, citrus paribus.

5,000
TC = 5Q + 5,000 Qe1 = 5 = 1,000 units
TR = 10Q
 FC  Qe  
  FC & Qe have Direct relationship
 FC  Qe  
Therefore,
Case 2 - Change in Unit variable cost

Assume for the above problem unit variable cost decreased by Birr 1, citrus
paribus

10,000
Qe 
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TC = 4Q + 10,000 2
= 1,667 units
TR=10Q
 V  Qe  
  V & Qe have Direct relationship
 V  Qe  

Case 3- Change in Selling Price

Assume for the above problem selling price is decreased by Birr 1, Citrus
Paribus.
 Qe  10,4000  2 ,500
TC = 5Q + 10,000 3 units

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 TR = 9Q
P  Qe  
 P & Qe have In direct relationship
P  Qe  

In the above example if a company can’t produce and sell 5,000 units it has the
following options:
- Decreasing FC
a) Decreasing unit variable cost
b) Increasing the unit selling price
If the organization is faced between cases two and three, it is preferable to
decrease the unit variable cost because if we increase the selling price, the
organization may loose its customers; and also decreasing the FC is advisable.
Finding the Quantity level that involves profit or loss.
FC  0
BEP = P  v , Any Q is related to the cost, profit, ---
  TR  TC
= PQ - (VQ + FC)
= Q (P-V) - FC
  Q( P  V )  FC
FC    Q( P  V )
FC  
 Q
P V For any quantity level.

Example
1. For the above manufacturing company, (example one), if it wants to make a
profit of Birr 25,000, what should be the quantity level? Answer: 7,000 units. This
tells us when there is a profit; the quantities produced and sold have to be
greater than the break-even quantity.
2. If it expects a loss of Birr 5,000, what will be the quantity level? Answer: 1,000
units. * When there is less, the quantity produced and sold should be less than
the BEQ.
Case 2 - Retail (Merchandise) Businesses
Break even Revenue = BEQ x P
Assume a business firm with product A has the following cost and revenue
items.
Purchase cost of A = 100 Br
Selling price = 150 Br
Markup= Selling price - Cost = 150-100=50.

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Mark up can be expressed:
i. As a function of cost, the mark-up is 50/100 = 50%
50  33.3%
ii. As a function of retail price, the mark up is 150 , it is also called
margin.

Selling expense = 1 percent of the selling price = 0.01x

So, the total cost equation becomes:
Y=0.68x + FC;
Where
X = Sales revenue
Y = Total cost

The above 68% is interpreted as, Out of the 100% selling price 68% is the variable
cost of goods purchased and sold.
To get the break-even sales volume level (Xe), we equate the total cost, Y with the
sales volume level, X as
Salesrevenue=x
Total cost=mx+ b
x=mx +b
x – mx=b
x (1 – m)=b
b
xe=
1−m

Where:
m = unit variable cost /Birr of sales

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