Name: __________________

Algebra One Student Notes

2.4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides
What will you learn in this lesson?
Algebra Benchmarks and Indicators
1) You will solve equations with variables on both sides
2) You will identify equations that are identities or have no solution

CCSM Standard: A.CED.1

Create equations in one
variable and use them to solve
problems.
ALSO: A.REI.1 and
A.REI.3

Lesson
Part 1: Getting Ready
1) The diagram shown gives information about the populations of two towns. After how many years will the
populations be equal? How do you know?
a) Define your variable
Answer:
b) What expression models Town As growth?
Answer:
c) What expression models town Bs growth?
Answer:
d) When you are asked to find when two things are equal, how will you setup your equation?
Answer:
e) Create an equation using your two expressions to model the situation.
Answer:
f) After how many years will the populations be equal? How do you know?
Answer:

Justification:

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING:

To solve Equations with variables on both sides, you can use

the properties of _______________, and ______________
operations to form a series of simpler
_________________ Equations.
Created by Megan Lantz

Algebra One Student Notes

2.4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Part 2: Solving an Equation With Variables on Both Sides

Find the solution to the following equations

Steps:

2) 5x + 2 = 2x + 14

3) 7x + 2 = 4x 10

4) 2(5x 1) = 3(x + 11)

5) 4(2y + 1) = 2(y 13)

7) (g + 4) 3g = 1 + g

8) -d + 12 3d = 5d - 6

1. Circle your variables.

2. Use the Distributive Property if
needed. .
3. Combine like terms on each side
of the equal side.
4. Use the properties of equality to
get the variable terms on one side of
the equation.
5. Use the properties of equality to
get the constants on the other side
of the equation.
6. Use inverse operations to undo
addition/subtraction and/or
multiplication/division.

6) 2r (5 r) = 13 + 2r

Created by Megan Lantz

Algebra One Student Notes

2.4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Part 3: Identities and Equations with NO Solution

9) Define identity.

an equation that is true for every possible value of the

variable
10)

KEY CONCEPT:
SOLUTION

CLASSIFICATION

IF x = ____________

Then, _____________________________

IF 3 = 3

Then, _____________________________

IF 9 = 8

Then, _____________________________

JUSTIFICATION

Solve the following equations. If the equation is an identity, write identity. If it has no solution, write no solution.
Make sure you justify your response.
11) 10x + 12 = 2(5x + 6)

12) 9m 4 - -3m + 5 + 12m

13) 3(4b 2) = -6 + 12b

14) 2x + 7 = -1(3 2x)

15) 2(a 4) = 4a (2a + 4)

16) 5y + 2 = 1/2 (10y + 4)

Created by Megan Lantz

Algebra One Student Notes

2.4 Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

Part 4: Solving a Multi-Step Word Problem

17) Suzanne is going to rent a car while she is out of town. Car rental company A offers a flat rate of $35 per day
plus $0.10 per mile. Car rental company B offers the same car for $25 per day plus $0.25 per mile. She will need
the car for 5 days. How many miles would she need to drive for the first rental company to be the better deal?
a) What information do we know?

b) What do we need to find?

c) What expression represents the cost of car rental A?

Answer:
d) What expression represents the cost of car rental B?
Answer:
e) Write and solve an equation to find the better deal.

f) Identify which company will have the better deal.

Answer:
11) Jeremy is looking at two different lawncare companies to weed and mulch his flower beds. Greenscape
Lawncare offers to charge $100 for the mulch plus $12 per hr for the labor. D & J Landscape offers to charge
$23 per hr for the job including the mulch. What is the minimum number of hours the job could be for D & J
Landscape to have the better deal?
a) What do we know?

b) What do we need to find?

c) Write and solve an equation to find the better deal.

Created by Megan Lantz