Name:_______________________

Date: _______________________
Period:________

Solving Linear Equations/Inequalities Notes

What is a Linear Equation?

A linear equation is an equation that can be written in the standard form:

Where A and B are real numbers and x is a variable. An example of a linear

equation would be:
2 + 5 = 0
Remember,
A variable is an ______________ value in an equation that is represented by a
____________. It can change in value depending on the context of the question.
Example:
The variable in one equation may refer to the number of donuts in the classroom,
while the variable in another equation may represent the number of students in the
classroom.

Standard Form of an Equation:

Most linear equations will not be found in standard form, meaning work must be
done to reach this from.
Which of the following equations are in standard form?
Equation Standard Form? (y/n)
- + = + Y/N
- += Y/N
- += Y/N
 Name:_______________________
Date: _______________________
Period:________
Working with Linear Equations:
In order to find the solution for a linear equation, the variable _________________
from all other constants.
This also means that common, or _________, terms must first be combined
before isolating the variable!
Reminder: Constant is another word for number. In an equation, the constant is the
number that does not have a variable attached to it!

Steps to Solving a Linear Equation:

STEPS: EQUATION:
1. Look at the equation and determine if there are 5 + 2 + 5 + 6 = 10
any like terms.

In this example, what are the like terms?

Underline one set of like terms and box in the
other. Do this WITHIN ONE SIDE OF THE
EQUAL SIGN!

2. Once like terms have been combined, you must

isolate the variable. Move any constants away from
the variable TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
EQUAL SIGN

Pay attention to the sign in front of the constant.

- If the constant is __________, then you
must ____________ that exact value to both
sides of the equal sign.

- If the constant is _________, then you

must ___________ that exact value to both
sides of the equal sign.
 Name:_______________________
Date: _______________________
Period:________
3. Once the variable has no more constants being
added or subtracted to it, you must make sure there
are no values being _________ or _________
to it.

If there is no number written next to x, then we

assume the number 1 is next to it and nothing needs
to be done.

If there is a number being multiplied to the variable

, written as Ax, then we must __________by the
value, A, to isolate the variable.

If there is a number being divided to the variable,

written as , then we must __________ by the value,
A, to isolate the variable.

PRACTICE:

For questions 1, 3, 5, and 7, solve for the variable

 Name:_______________________
Date: _______________________
Period:________
In class you will be asked to write out the steps for a specific question. Write out the
steps, along with the work, in the space below. Also, copy down the example of
another group in the same space.

Linear Inequalities:
What are linear inequalities and how are they related to linear equations?
MAIN DIFFERENCE:
With linear inequalities, instead of obtaining a single solution, you obtain a
____________ of solutions that are all considered valid solutions to the inequality!
This is because of the ________________________ present in the equation!

INEQUALITY SIGNS:
Draw in the inequality signs shown in the Prezi!
 Name:_______________________
Date: _______________________
Period:________
Example:

>5 In words, this can be interpreted as x is ______________ 5 or

_______________________________________________________

For the following examples, rewrite the inequality in words;

1. < 2 2. 4 3. > 18 4. 9

Steps to Solving a Linear Inequality:

The steps followed to solve for a linear inequality are almost
______________ the same as those for a _________ equation. There is only one
exception

Negative Numbers Next to Variables of Linear Inequalities:

In a linear equation, if there is a negative value next to the variable, then it will
only affect the sign of the constant value on the other sign of the equal sign. For
example:

2 = 8 Remembering your rules for negative

numbers, a positive divided by a
2 2
negative gives you a _________
= 4 answer, but only that number is
changed/affected.
When dividing by a negative number with inequalities, you must
 Name:_______________________
Date: _______________________
Period:________

__________________________________________________________________

Example: In this inequality, I had -2 next to the

2 > 8 variable. When I divided by -2, the
2 2 inequality sign flipped from being
< 4 ____________ to _______________

PRACTICE:
In the following inequalities, solve for the variable. (HINT: Pay special attention to
negative values next to vairables and their inequality signs!)

+5<6 9 3 2>4

6
+47 1 + > 10 2
2 4 4

9 3 > 6 3 + 7 < 9 7 3 > 18