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Introduction
An equation is formed when two algebraic expressions are set equal to each other by equal sign =.
A linear equation is an equation the highest degree one the highest exponent on the variable is positive
one. In linear equations, there is no negative exponent nor rational (radical) powers.
Numerical equations can be true or false but equations with variables cannot be true or false unless we
know the value of the variable. In the table below are examples of equations. The equations in the
columns one and two are numerical and those in column three are variable equations.
2. 3 5 = y,
y=-2
3. z 4 = 2
=2
4
4 (4) = 4 2, multiply each term on both sides by 4
=42
z=8
4. 4 t = 8
4t = 8
4 8
4
= 4, divide each term on both sides of =
8
=
4
t=2
Solution is a number which when substitute for the variable will make the equation true. For instance in
example 4, t = 2 is the solution since 42=8.
Example 1
Solve for x in 3x 5 = 5+x
Solution
We want to isolate the unknown on one side of the equation.
Subtract x from both sides and simplify.
(3x 5) x = (5+x) x
3x x 5 = 5 +x x
2x 5 = 5
Add 5 to both sides and simplify
(2x 5) + 5 = 5 + 5
2x 5+5 = 5+5
2x = 10
Divide each term by 2 (or multiply each term by )
1 1
2 = 10
2 2
2 10
=
2 2
=5
Example 2
Find the solution set of 5 2 = 6 + 21
Solution
5 2 = 6 + 21
Change sides (swap sides)
6 + 21 = 5 2
Add 2x to both sides
2 + (6 + 21) = 2 + (5 2)
2 + 6 + 21 = 5 + 2 2
8 + 21 = 5
Add -21 to both sides
21 + (8 + 21) = 21 + 5
8 21 + 21 = 5 21
8 = 16
Multiply each term by 1/8
1/8 8 = 1/8 16
= 2
Solution set = {x:x = - 2}
Alternative method
5 2 = 6 + 21
Subtract 6x from both sides
5 2 6 = 6 + 21 6
5 8 = 21
Subtract 5 from both sides
5 8 5 = 21 5
8 = 16
Divide each term by 8
8 16
=
8 8
= 2
Equations containing parenthesis and other brackets
When dealing with equations follow the principle of BODMAS or BEDMAS. B=Brackets, O = Of,
D=Division, E=Exponent, M=Multiplication, A=Addition and S=Subtraction. The concept of BODMAS
is, in solving for equations, follow the letters in their respective order. That is B followed by O, D, M, A
and finally S.
Example 3.
Solve for y in 3 5(3 ) = 1
Solution