Chapter 1

Linear Equations
and Graphs

Section 1
Linear Equations and
Inequalities
 Learning Objectives for Section 1.1
Linear Equations and Inequalities

 The student will be able to solve linear equations.

 The student will be able to solve linear inequalities.
 The student will be able to solve applications
involving linear equations and inequalities.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

2
 Linear Equations, Standard Form

In general, a first-degree, or linear, equation in one variable

is any equation that can be written in the form

ax  b 0
where a is not equal to zero. This is called the standard form
of the linear equation.
For example, the equation
x
3  2( x  3)   5
3
is a linear equation because it can be converted to standard
form by clearing of fractions and simplifying.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

3
 Equivalent Equations

Two equations are equivalent if one can be transformed

into the other by performing a series of operations
which are one of two types:
1. The same quantity is added to or subtracted
from each side of a given equation.
2. Each side of a given equation is multiplied by
or divided by the same nonzero quantity.
To solve a linear equation, we perform these operations
on the equation to obtain simpler equivalent forms, until
we obtain an equation with an obvious solution.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
4
 Example of Solving a
Linear Equation

x2 x
Example: Solve  5
2 3

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

5
 Example of Solving a
Linear Equation

x2 x
Example: Solve  5
2 3
Solution: Since the LCD of 2 and 3
 x  2 x 
is 6, we multiply both sides of the 6   6 5
equation by 6 to clear of fractions.  2 3
Cancel the 6 with the 2 to obtain a 3( x  2)  2 x 30
factor of 3, and cancel the 6 with 3x  6  2 x 30
the 3 to obtain a factor of 2.
x  6 30
Distribute the 3.
x 24
Combine like terms.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
6
 Solving a Formula for a
Particular Variable

Example: Solve M =Nt +Nr for N.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

7
 Solving a Formula for a
Particular Variable

Example: Solve M=Nt+Nr for N.

Factor out N: M  N (t  r )
Divide both sides M
by (t + r): N
t r

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

8
 Linear Inequalities

If the equality symbol = in a linear equation is replaced by

an inequality symbol (<, >, ≤, or ≥), the resulting expression
is called a first-degree, or linear, inequality. For example
x
5 1  3 x  2 
2
is a linear inequality.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

9
 Solving Linear Inequalities

We can perform the same operations on inequalities that we

perform on equations, except that the sense of the inequality
reverses if we multiply or divide both sides by a negative
number. For example, if we start with the true statement –2 > –9
and multiply both sides by 3, we obtain
–6 > –27.
The sense of the inequality remains the same.
If we multiply both sides by -3 instead, we must write
6 < 27
to have a true statement. The sense of the inequality reverses.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
10
 Example for Solving a
Linear Inequality

Solve the inequality 3(x – 1) < 5(x + 2) – 5

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

11
 Example for Solving a
Linear Inequality

Solve the inequality 3(x – 1) < 5(x + 2) – 5

Solution:
3(x –1) < 5(x + 2) – 5
3x – 3 < 5x + 10 – 5 Distribute the 3 and the 5
3x – 3 < 5x + 5 Combine like terms.
–2x < 8 Subtract 5x from both sides,
and add 3 to both sides
x > -4 Notice that the sense of the inequality
reverses when we divide both sides by -2.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
12
 Interval and Inequality Notation

If a < b, the double inequality a < x < b means that a < x and
x < b. That is, x is between a and b.
Interval notation is also used to describe sets defined by single
or double inequalities, as shown in the following table.
Interval Inequality Interval Inequality
[a,b] a≤x≤b (–∞,a] x≤a
[a,b) a≤x<b (–∞,a) x<a
(a,b] a<x≤b [b,∞) x≥b
(a,b) a<x<b (b,∞) x>b

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

13
 Interval and Inequality Notation
and Line Graphs

(A) Write [–5, 2) as a double inequality and graph .

(B) Write x ≥ –2 in interval notation and graph.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

14
 Interval and Inequality Notation
and Line Graphs

(A) Write [–5, 2) as a double inequality and graph .

(B) Write x ≥ –2 in interval notation and graph.
(A) [–5, 2) is equivalent to –5 ≤ x < 2
[ ) x
-5 2

(B) x ≥ –2 is equivalent to [–2, ∞)

[ x
-2

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

15
 Procedure for Solving
Word Problems
1. Read the problem carefully and introduce a variable to
represent an unknown quantity in the problem.
2. Identify other quantities in the problem (known or
unknown) and express unknown quantities in terms of the
variable you introduced in the first step.
3. Write a verbal statement using the conditions stated in the
problem and then write an equivalent mathematical
statement (equation or inequality.)
4. Solve the equation or inequality and answer the questions
posed in the problem.
5. Check the solutions in the original problem.
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
16
 Example: Break-Even Analysis

A recording company produces compact disk (CDs). One-time

fixed costs for a particular CD are $24,000; this includes costs
such as recording, album design, and promotion. Variable
costs amount to $6.20 per CD and include the manufacturing,
distribution, and royalty costs for each disk actually
manufactured and sold to a retailer. The CD is sold to retail
outlets at $8.70 each. How many CDs must be manufactured
and sold for the company to break even?

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

17
 Break-Even Analysis
(continued)
Solution

Step 1. Let x = the number of CDs manufactured and sold.

Step 2. Fixed costs = $24,000
Variable costs = $6.20x
C = cost of producing x CDs
= fixed costs + variable costs
= $24,000 + $6.20x
R = revenue (return) on sales of x CDs
= $8.70x
Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e
18
 Break-Even Analysis
(continued)

Step 3. The company breaks even if R = C, that is if

$8.70x = $24,000 + $6.20x
Step 4. 8.7x = 24,000 + 6.2x Subtract 6.2x from both sides
2.5x = 24,000 Divide both sides by 2.5
x = 9,600
The company must make and sell 9,600 CDs
to break even.

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

19
 Break-Even Analysis
(continued)
Step 5. Check:
Costs = $24,000 + $6.2 ∙ 9,600 = $83,520
Revenue = $8.7 ∙ 9,600 = $83,520

Barnett/Ziegler/Byleen Calculus 12e

20