Sunday, February 8, 2015

Lesson 14
Algebraic Equations

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Vocabulary
equation
solution of an equation
solution set

Sunday, February 8, 2015

An equation is a mathematical statement that

two expressions are equal.
A solution of an equation is a value of the
variable that makes the equation true.
A solution set is the set of all solutions. Finding
the solutions of an equation is also called solving
the equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

To find solutions, perform inverse operations

until you have isolated the variable. A variable
is isolated when it appears by itself on one side
of an equation, and not at all on the other side.
Inverse Operations
Add x.
Multiply by x.

Subtract x.
Divide by x.

An equation is like a balanced scale. To keep the

balance, you must perform the same inverse
operation on both sides.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Writing Math
Solution sets are written in set notation
using braces, { }. Solutions may be given
in set notation, or they may be given in the
form x = 14.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1A: Solving Equations by Using

Addition or Subtraction
Solve the equation.
y 8 = 24
+8 +8
y = 32

Since 8 is subtracted from

y, add 8 to both sides to
undo the subtraction.
The solution set is {32}.

Check

y 8 = 24
32 8
24
24
24

To check your solution,

substitute 32 for y in the
original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1B: Solving Equations by Using

Addition
Solve the equation.
4.2 = t + 1.8
1.8
1.8
2.4 = t
Check 4.2 = t + 1.8
4.2 2.4 + 1.8
4.2 4.2

Since 1.8 is added to t,

subtract 1.8 from both sides
to undo the addition.
The solution set is {2.4}.
To check your solution,
substitute 2.4 for t in the
original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A: Solving Equations by Using

Multiplication or Division
Solve the equation. Check your answer.

Since j is divided by 3, multiply

from both sides by 3 to undo
the division.
The solution set is {24}.

24 = j
Check

To check your solution, substitute

24 for j in the original equation.
8

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B: Solving Equations by Using

Multiplication or Division
Solve the equation. Check your answer.
4.8 = 6v

0.8 = v
Check

4.8 = 6v
4.8 6(0.8)
4.8

4.8

Since v is multiplied by 6,
divide both sides by 6 to
undo the multiplication.
The solution set is {0.8}.
To check your solution,
substitute 0.8 for v in the
original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

When solving equations, you will sometimes

find it easier to add an opposite to both sides
instead of subtracting or to multiply by a
reciprocal instead of dividing. This is often
true when an equation contains negative
numbers or fractions.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3A: Solving Equations by Using

Opposites or Reciprocals
Solve each equation.
The reciprocal of

is

w is multiplied by
both sides by

. Since
multiply

The solution set is {24}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3B: Solving Equations by Using

Opposites or Reciprocals
Solve each equation.

Since p is added to
, add
to both sides to undo the
subtraction.
The solution set is
.

{ }

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Vocabulary
equivalent equations

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Many equations contain more than one operation,

such as 2x + 5 = 11.
This equation contains multiplication and addition.
Equations that contain two operations require two
steps to solve. Identify the operations in the
equation and the order in which they are applied to
the variable. Then use inverse operations to undo
them in reverse over one at a time.
Operations in the equation

First x is multiplied by 2.
Then 5 is added.

To solve

Subtract 5 from both

sides of the equation.
Then divide both
sides by 2.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

2x + 5 =11
5 5
2x = 6

Subtract 5 from both sides of

the equation.
Divide both sides of the
equation by 2.

x=3

The solution set is {3}.

Each time you perform an inverse operation, you

create an equation that is equivalent to the original
equation. Equivalent equations have the same
solutions, or the same solution set. In the example
above, 2x + 5 = 11, 2x = 6, and x = 3 are all
equivalent equations.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1A: Solving Two-Step Equations

Solve 18 = 4a + 10.
18 = 4a + 10
10
8

10
= 4a

2=a

First a is multiplied by 4. Then 10 is

added.
Subtract 10 from both sides.
8 = 4a is equivalent to 18 = 4a + 10.
Since a is multiplied by 4, divide
both sides by 4 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {2}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1B: Solving Two-Step Equations

Solve 5t 2 = 32.
5t 2 = 32
+2
5t

+2
= 30

t = 6

First t is multiplied by 5. Then 2 is

subtracted.
Add 2 to both sides.
5t = 30 is equivalent to 5t 2 = 32.
Since t is multiplied by 5, divide
both sides by 5 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {6}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A: Solving Two-Step Equations

That Contain Fractions
Solve the equation.

Method 1 Use fraction operations.

Since is subtracted from , add

to
both sides to undo the subtraction.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A Continued

Since y is divided by 8 multiply both
sides by 8.
Simplify.

y = 16

The solution set is {16}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A Continued

Method 2 Multiply by the least common denominator
(LCD) to clear fractions.

Multiply both sides by 8, the LCD of

the fractions.
Distribute 8 on the left side.
y 6 = 10
+6 +6
y
= 16

Simplify. Since 6 is subtracted from y,

add 6 to both sides to undo the
subtraction.
The solution set is {16}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A Continued

Check your answer.
Check
To check your solution, substitute
16 for y in the original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B: Solving Two-Step Equations

That Contain Fractions
Solve the equation.

Method 1 Use fraction operations.

Since is added to
, subtract
from both sides to undo the addition.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B Continued

Since r is multiplied by multiply both
sides by , the reciprocal.
Simplify.

The solution set is

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B Continued

Method 2 Multiply by the least common denominator
(LCD) to clear the fractions.

Multiply both sides by 12, the

LCD of the fractions.
Distribute 12 on the left side.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B Continued

8r + 9 = 7
9 9
8r
=2

Simplify. Since 9 is added 8r, subtract

9 from both sides to undo the
addition.
Since r is multiplied by 8, divide both
sides 8 to undo the multiplication.
The solution set is

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B Continued

Check your answer.
Check
To check your solution, substitute
for r in the original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Helpful Hint
You can multiply both sides of the equation by
any common denominator of the fractions. Using
the LCD is the most efficient.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Notice that this equation contains multiplication,

division, and addition. An equation that contains
multiple operations will require multiple steps to
solve. You will create an equivalent equation at
each step.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1A: Solving Two-Step Equations

Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Since 2x + 1 is divided by 3,
multiply both sides by 3 to undo
the division.
2x + 1 = 21
1 1
2x
= 20

x = 10

Since 1 is added to 2x, subtract 1

from both sides to undo the
addition.
Since x is multiplied by 2, divide
both sides by 2 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {10}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1A Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Check
To check your solution,
substitute 10 for x in the
original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1B: Solving Two-Step Equations

Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Since 3x 4 is divided by 2,
multiply both sides by 2 to undo
the division.
+4
+4
18 = 3x

6=x

Since 4 is subtracted from 3x, add

4 to both sides to undo the
subtraction.
Since x is multiplied by 3, divide
both sides by 3 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {6}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1B Continued

Solve the equation. Check your answer.
Check
To check your solution,
substitute 6 for x in the
original equation.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

You may have to combine like terms or

use the Distributive Property before you
begin solving.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2A: Simplifying Before Solving

Equations
Solve 8x 21 5x = 15
8x 21 5x = 15
8x 5x 21 = 15
3x 21 = 15
+21 = +21
3x
= 6

x=2

Use the Commutative Property of

Addition. Combine like terms.
Since 21 is subtracted from 3x,
add 21 to both sides to undo
the subtraction.
Since x is multiplied by 3, divide
both sides by 3 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {2}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2B: Simplifying Before Solving

Equations
Solve 4 = 2x + 5 6x
4 = 2x + 5 6x
Use the Commutative Property of
4 = 2x 6x + 5
Addition. Combine like terms.
4 = 4x + 5
Since 5 is added to 4x, subtract
5
5
5 from both sides to undo the
1 = 4x
addition.
Since x is multiplied by 4, divide
both sides by 4 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is
.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3A: Simplify Using the

Distributive Property
Solve the equation.
5(p 2) = 15
5(p 2) = 15
5(p) + 5(2) = 15
5p 10 = 15
+10 +10
5p
= 5

Distribute 5.
Simplify.
Since 10 is subtracted from 5p,
add 10 to both sides.
Since p is multiplied by 5, divide
both sides by 5.

p = 1

The solution set is {1}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Helpful Hint
You can think of a negative sign as a coefficient
of 1.
(x + 2) = 1(x + 2) and x = 1x.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3B: Simplify Using the

Distributive Property
Solve the equation.
10y (4y + 8) = 20

Write subtraction as the

addition of the opposite.
10y +(1)(4y + 8) = 20

10y + (1)(4y) + (1)(8) = 20 Distribute 1.

10y 4y 8 = 20 Simplify.
6y 8 = 20 Combine like terms.
+8
+8 Since 8 is subtracted from
6y, add 8 to both sides
6y
= 12
to undo the subtraction.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3B Continued

Solve the equation.
10y (4y +8) = 20
6y = 12

y = 2

Since y is multiplied by 6, divide

both sides by 6 to undo the
multiplication.
The solution set is {-2}.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Lesson Review: Part l

Solve each equation.

1. 2y + 29 8y = 5

2. 3(x 9) = 30 19
3. x (12 x) = 38 25
4.

5. If 3b (6 b) = 22, find the value of 7b.

28

Sunday, February 8, 2015

To solve an equation with variables on both sides,

use inverse operations to "collect" variable terms
on one side of the equation.

Helpful Hint
Equations are often easier to solve when the
variable has a positive coefficient. Keep this in
mind when deciding on which side to "collect"
variable terms.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 1: Solving Equations with

Variables on Both Sides
Solve 7n 2 = 5n + 6.
7n 2 = 5n + 6
5n
5n
2n 2 =
+2
2n

6
+2
8

To collect the variable terms on one

side, subtract 5n from both sides.
Since 2 is subtracted from 2n, add 2
to both sides.
Since n is multiplied by 2, divide both
sides by 2 to undo the multiplication.

n=4

Sunday, February 8, 2015

To solve more complicated

equations, you may need to first
simplify by using the Distributive
Property or combining like terms.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 2: Simplifying Each Side Before

Solving Equations
Solve the equation.
4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7 2a)
4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7 2a)

Distribute 5 to the
expression in
4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7) 5(2a)
parentheses.
4 6a + 4a = 1 35 + 10a
Combine like terms.
4 2a = 36 + 10a
Since 36 is added to
+36
+36
10a, add 36 to both
40 2a =

10a

sides.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

An identity is an equation that is always

true, no matter what value is substituted
for the variable. The solution set of an
identity is all real numbers.
Some equations are always false. Their
solution sets are empty. In other words,
their solution sets contain no elements.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3A: Infinitely Many Solutions or

No Solutions
Solve the equation.
10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x
10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x
11 5x = 11 5x

Identify like terms.

Combine like terms on
the left and the right.

The statement 11 5x = 11 5x is true for all values

of x. The equation 10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x is an
identity. All values of x will make the equation true. In
other words, all real numbers are solutions.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Additional Example 3B: Infinitely Many Solutions or

No Solutions
Solve the equation.
12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x
12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x Identify like terms.
Combine like terms on the left
13x 3 = 13x 4
and the right.
13x
13x
Subtract 13x from both sides.
3 = 4
False statement; the solution
set is .
The equation 12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x is always
false. There is no value of x that will make the
equation true. There are no solutions.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Writing Math
The empty set can be written as or {}.