# § 1.4 Solving Linear Equations.

## Presentation on theme: "§ 1.4 Solving Linear Equations."— Presentation transcript:

§ 1.4 Solving Linear Equations

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #2 Section 1.4
Linear Equations Definition of a Linear Equation A linear equation in one variable x is an equation that can be written in the form ax + b = 0, where a and b are real numbers and a is not equal to 0. An example of a linear equation in x is 4x + 2 = 6. Linear equations in x are first degree equations in the variable x. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #2 Section 1.4

Properties of Equality
Property Definition Addition Property of Equality The same real number or algebraic expression may be added to both sides of an equation without changing the equation’s solution set. Multiplication Property of Equality The same nonzero real number may multiply both sides of an equation without changing the equation’s solution set. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #3 Section 1.4

Solving a Linear Equation
Solving Linear Equations Solving a Linear Equation 1) Simplify the algebraic expressions on each side. 2) Collect all the variable terms on one side and all the numbers, or constant terms, on the other side 3) Isolate the variable and solve. 4) Check the proposed solution in the original equation. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #4 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #5 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations EXAMPLE Solve and check: x + 4x = 1 - 7x + 12. SOLUTION 1) Simplify the algebraic expressions on each side. 5 - 3x + 4x = 1 - 7x + 12 Combine like terms: -3x + 4x = x = 13 5 + x = x Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #5 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #6 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED 2) Collect variable terms on one side and constant terms on the other side. 5 + x + 7x = x + 7x Add 7x to both sides 5 + 8x = 13 Simplify Subtract 5 from both sides 5 – 5 + 8x = Simplify 8x = 8 Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #6 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #7 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED 3) Isolate the variable and solve. 8x 8 Divide both sides by 8 x = 1 Simplify Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #7 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #8 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED 4) Check the proposed solution in the original equation. 5 - 3x + 4x = 2 - 7x + 6 Original equation ? 5 – 3(1) + 4(1) – 7(1) + 12 = Replace x with 1 ? 5 – – = Multiply ? = Add or subtract from left to right 6 = 6 Add Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #8 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #9 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations EXAMPLE Solve and check: SOLUTION 1) Simplify the algebraic expressions on each side. Multiply both sides by the LCD: 30 Distributive Property Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #9 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #10 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED Cancel Multiply Distribute Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #10 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #11 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED 14x + 2 = 15x Combine like terms 2) Collect variable terms on one side and constant terms on the other side. Subtract 14x from both sides 14x – 14x + 2 = 15x – 14x 2 = x Simplify 3) Isolate the variable and solve. Already done. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #11 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #12 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED 4) Check the proposed solution in the original equation. ? Original Equation ? Replace x with 2 ? Simplify ? Simplify Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #12 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #13 Section 1.4
Solving Linear Equations CONTINUED Simplify 1 - 0 = 1 Simplify 1 = 1 Since the proposed x value of 2 made a true sentence of 1 = 1 when substituted into the original equation, then 2 is indeed a solution of the original equation. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #13 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #14 Section 1.4
Categorizing an Equations Type of Equations Definitions Identity An equation that is true for all real numbers Conditional An equation that is not an identity but is true for at least one real number Inconsistent (contradiction) An equation that is not true for any real number Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #14 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #15 Section 1.4
Categorizing an Equation EXAMPLE Solve and determine whether the equation is an identity, a conditional equation or an inconsistent equation. 5 + 4x = 9x + 5 SOLUTION 5 + 4x = 9x + 5 x = 9x Subtract 5 from both sides 4x = 9x Simplify 4x – 4x = 9x – 4x Subtract 4x from both sides Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #15 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #16 Section 1.4
Categorizing an Equation CONTINUED 0 = 5x Simplify Divide both sides by 5 Simplify 0 = x The original equation is only true when x = 0. Therefore, it is a conditional equation. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #16 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #17 Section 1.4
Categorizing an Equation EXAMPLE Solve and determine whether the equation is an identity, a conditional equation or an inconsistent equation. 5 – (2x – 4) = 4(x +1) - 2x SOLUTION 5 – (2x – 4) = 4(x +1) - 2x Distribute the -1 and the 4 5 – 2x +4 = 4x x Simplify 9 - 2x = 4 - 2x Add 2x to both sides. 9 = 4 Since after simplification we see a contradiction, we know that the original equation is inconsistent and can never be true for any x. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #17 Section 1.4

Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #18 Section 1.4
Categorizing an Equation EXAMPLE Solve and determine whether the equation is an identity, a conditional equation or an inconsistent equation. 3 + 2x = 3(x +1) - x SOLUTION 3 + 2x = 3(x +1) - x 3 + 2x = 3x x Distribute the 3 3 + 2x = 2x + 3 Simplify Since after simplification we can see that the left hand side (LHS) is equal to the RHS of the equation, this is an identity and is always true for all x. Blitzer, Intermediate Algebra, 5e – Slide #18 Section 1.4