table of contents inverse operations one step equations two step equations multi-step equations...

Table of Contents

Inverse Operations

One Step Equations

Two Step Equations

Multi-Step Equations

Variables on Both Sides

More Equations

Transforming Formulas

Click on a topic to go to that section.

Inverse Operations

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What is an equation?

An equation is a mathematical statement, in symbols, that two things are exactly the same (or equivalent). Equations are written with an equal sign, as in

2 + 3 = 5

9 – 2 = 7

Equations can also be used to state the equality of two expressions containing one or more variables.

In real numbers we can say, for example, that for any given value of x it is true that

4x + 1 = 14 - 1

If x = 3, then

4(3) + 1 = 14 - 1 12 + 1 = 13

13 = 13

An equation can be compared to a balanced scale.

Both sides need to contain the same quantity in order for it to be "balanced".

For example, 20 + 30 = 50 represents an equation because both sides simplify to 50. 20 + 30 = 50

50 = 50

Any of the numerical values in the equation can be represented by a variable.

Examples:

20 + c = 50

x + 30 = 50

20 + 30 = y

Why are we Solving Equations?

First we evaluated expressions where we were given the value of the variable and had to find what the expression simplified to.

Now, we are told what it simplifies to and we need to find the value of the variable.

When solving equations, the goal is to isolate the variable on one side of the equation in order to determine its value (the value that makes the equation true).

In order to solve an equation containing a variable, you need to use inverse (opposite/undoing) operations on both sides of the equation.

Let's review the inverses of each operation:

Addition Subtraction

Multiplication Division

There are four properties of equality that we will use to solve equations. They are as follows:

Addition PropertyIf a=b, then a + c=b + c for all real numbers a, b, and c. The same number can be added to each side of the equation without changing the solution of the equation.

Subtraction PropertyIf a=b, then a-c=b-c for all real numbers a, b, and c. The same number can be subtracted from each side of the equation without changing the solution of the equation.

Multiplication PropertyIf a=b, and c=0, then ac=bc for all real numbers ab, b, and c. Each side of an equation can be multiplied by the same nonzero number without changing the solution of the equation.

Division PropertyIf a=b, and c=0, then a/c=b/c for all real numbers ab, b, and c. Each side of an equation can be divided by the same nonzero number without changing the solution of the equation.

To solve for "x" in the following equation... x + 7 = 32

Determine what operation is being shown (in this case, it is addition). Do the inverse to both sides.

x + 7 = 32 - 7 -7 x = 25

In the original equation, replace x with 25 and see if it makes the equation true.

x + 7 = 32 25 + 7 = 32

32 = 32

For each equation, write the inverse operation needed to solve for the variable.

a.) y +7 = 14 subtract 7 b.) a - 21 = 10 add 21

c.) 5s = 25 divide by 5 d.) x = 5 multiply by 12 12

move move

move move

Think about this...

To solve c - 3 = 12

Which method is better? Why?

Kendra

Added 3 to each side of the equation

c - 3 = 12 +3 +3 c = 15

Ted

Subtracted 12 from each side, then added 15.

c - 3 = 12 -12 -12c - 15 = 0 +15 +15 c = 15

Think about this...

In the expression

To which does the "-" belong?

Does it belong to the x? The 5? Both?

The answer is that there is one negative so it is used once with either the variable or the 5. Generally, we assign it to the 5 to avoid creating a negative variable.

So:

×

1 What is the inverse operation needed to solve this equation?

7x = 49

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

A

B

C

D Division

2 What is the inverse operation needed to solve this equation?

x - 3 = -12

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

A

B

C

D Division

One Step Equations

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To solve equations, you must work backwards through the order of operations to find the value of the variable.

Remember to use inverse operations in order to isolate the variable on one side of the equation.

Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!

Examples:

y + 9 = 16 - 9 -9 The inverse of adding 9 is subtracting 9 y = 7

6m = 72 6 6 The inverse of multiplying by 6 is dividing by 6 m = 12

Remember - whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other!!!

×

x - 8 = -2 +8 +8 x = 6

x + 2 = -14 -2 -2 x = -16

2 = x - 6+6 +6 8 = x

7 = x + 3-3 -3 4 = x

15 = x + 17-17 -17 -2 = x

x + 5 = 3 -5 -5 x = -2

One Step Equations

Solve each equation then click the box to see work & solution.

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

One Step Equations

3x = 15 3 3 x = 5

-4x = -12 -4 -4 x = 3

-25 = 5x 5 5 -5 = x

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

click to showinverse operation

x 2x = 20

= 10 (2) (2)

x

-6 x = -216

= 36

click to showinverse operation

(-6)(-6)

click to showinverse operation

3 Solve.

x - 6 = -11

4 Solve.

j + 15 = -17

5 Solve.

-115 = -5x

6 Solve.

= 12 x 9

7 Solve.

51 = 17y

8 Solve.

w - 17 = 37

9 Solve.

-3 = x 7

10 Solve.

23 + t = 11

11 Solve.

108 = 12r

Two-Step Equations

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Sometimes it takes more than one step to solve an equation. Remember that to solve equations, you must work backwards through the order of operations to find the value of the variable.

This means that you undo in the opposite order (PEMDAS):1st: Addition & Subtraction2nd: Multiplication & Division3rd: Exponents4th: Parentheses

Whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!

Examples:

3x + 4 = 10 - 4 - 4 Undo addition first 3x = 6 3 3 Undo multiplication second x = 2

-4y - 11 = -23 + 11 +11 Undo subtraction first -4y = -12 -4___-4 Undo multiplication second y = 3

Remember - whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other!!!

×

6-7x = 83-6 -6 -7x = 77 -7 -7 x = -11

3x + 10 = 46 - 10 -10 3x = 36 3 3 x = 12

-4x - 3 = 25 +3 +3 -4x = 28 -4 -4 x = -7

-2x + 3 = -1 - 3 -3 -2x = -4 -2 -2 x = 2

9 + 2x = 23-9 -9 2x = 14 2 2 x = 7

8 - 2x = -8-8 -8 -2x = -16 -2 -2 x = 8

Two Step Equations

Solve each equation then click the box to see work & solution.

Walter is a waiter at the Towne Diner. He earns a daily wage of $50, plus tips that are equal to 15% of the total cost of the dinners he serves. What was the total cost of the dinners he served if he earned $170 on Tuesday?

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

12 Solve the equation.

5x - 6 = -56

13 Solve the equation.

16 = 3m - 8

14 Solve the equation.

x 2

- 6 = 30

15 Solve the equation.

5r - 2 = -12

16 Solve the equation.

12 = -2n - 4

17 Solve the equation.

- 7 = 13 x 4

18 Solve the equation.

+ 3 = -12 x 5

-

19 What is the value of n in the equation 0.6(n + 10) = 3.6?

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011

-0.4

5

-4

A

B

C

D 4

20 In the equation

, n is equal to

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

8

2

1/2

A

B

C

D 1/8

21 Which value of x is the solution of the equation

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011

1/2

2

2/3

A

B

C

D 3/2

22 Two angles are complementary. One angle has a measure that is five times the measure of the other angle. What is the measure, in degrees, of the larger angle?

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

Multi-Step Equations

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Steps for Solving Multiple Step Equations

As equations become more complex, you should:

1. Simplify each side of the equation.(Combining like terms and the distributive property)

2. Use inverse operations to solve the equation.

Remember, whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!

Examples:

-15 = -2x - 9 + 4x-15 = 2x - 9 Combine Like Terms +9 +9 Undo Subtraction first -6 = 2x 2 2 Undo Multiplication second -3 = x

7x - 3x - 8 = 244x - 8 = 24 Combine Like Terms + 8 +8 Undo Subtraction first4x = 32 4___4 Undo Multiplication second x = 8

×

Now try an example. Each term is infinitely cloned so you can pull them down as you solve.

-7x + 3 + 6x = -6-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x-7x + 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3 + 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x+ 6x ==================== -6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6

x = 9

Now try another example. Each term is infinitely cloned so you can pull them down as you solve.

6x - 5 + x 44

x = -9

6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x6x - 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5- 5 + x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x+ x 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444=====================

Always check to see that both sides of the equation are simplified before you begin solving the equation.

Sometimes, you need to use the distributive property in order to simplify part of the equation.

For all real numbers a, b, c

a(b + c) = ab + ac

a(b - c) = ab - ac

Distributive Property

Examples

5(20 + 6) = 5(20) + 5(6)

9(30 - 2) = 9(30) - 9(2)

3(5 + 2x) = 3(5) + 3(2x)

-2(4x - 7) = -2(4x) - (-2)(7)

Examples:

5(1 + 6x) = 185 5 + 30x = 185 Distribute the 5 on the left side -5 -5 Undo addition first 30x = 180 30 30 Undo multiplication second x = 6

2x + 6(x - 3) = 142x + 6x - 18 = 14 Distribute the 6 through (x - 3)8x - 18 = 14 Combine Like Terms +18 +18 Undo subtraction 8x = 32 8 8 Undo multiplication x = 4

×

5 ( -2 + 7x ) 95

Now show the distributing and solve...(each number/ symbol is infinitely cloned, so click on it and drag another one down)

answer

5555555555555555555 (((((((((((((((((((( -2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 +++++++++++++++++++ 7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x7x )))))))))))))))))))) 95959595959595959595959595959595959595=====================

x = 3

6 -2x 9 102

Now show the distributing and solve...(each number/ symbol is infinitely cloned, so click on it and drag another one down)

((((((((((((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))))))) =====================++++++++++++++++++++66666666666666666666 -2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x-2x 999999999999999999 102102102102102102102102102102102102102102102102102102102

answer

x = -4

23 Solve.

3 + 2t + 4t = -63

24 Solve.

19 = 1 + 4 - x

25 Solve.

8x - 4 - 2x - 11 = -27

26 Solve.

-4 = -27y + 7 - (-15y) + 13

27 Solve.

9 - 4y + 16 + 11y = 4

28 Solve.

6(-8 + 3b) = 78

29 Solve.

18 = -6(1 - 1k)

30 Solve.

2w + 8(w + 3) = 34

31 Solve.

4 = 4x - 2(x + 6)

32 Solve.

3r - r + 2(r + 4) = 24

33 What is the value of p in the equation 2(3p - 4) = 10?

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

1

2 1/3

3

A

B

C

D 1/3

Variables on Both Sides

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Remember...

1. Simplify both sides of the equation.

2. Collect the variable terms on one side of the equation. (Add or subtract one of the terms from both sides of the

equation)

3. Solve the equation.

Remember, whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!

Example:

4x + 8 = 2x + 26-2x -2x Subtract 2x from both sides2x + 8 = 26 - 8 -8 Undo Addition 2x = 18 2 2 Undo Multiplication x = 9

What if you did it a little differently?4x + 8 = 2x + 26-4x -4x Subtract 4x from both sides 8 = -2x + 26 -26 - 26 Undo Addition -18 = -2x -2 -2 Undo Multiplication 9 = x

Recommendation: Cancel the smaller amount of the variable!

×

Example:

6r - 5 = 7r + 7 - 2r 6r - 5 = 5r + 7 Simplify Each Side of Equation-5r -5r Subtract 5r from both sides (smaller than 6r) r - 5 = 7 + 5 +5 Undo Subtraction r = 12

×

Try these:

6x - 2 = x + 13 4(x + 1) = 2x -2 5t - 8 = 9t - 10-x -x 4x + 4 = 2x -2 -5t -5t 5x - 2 = 13 -2x -2x -8 = 4t - 10 + 2 +2 2x + 4 = -2 +10 +105x = 15 -4 -4 2 = 4t 5 5 2x = -6 4 4 x = 3 2 2 = t

x = -3

1 2

Sometimes, you get an interesting answer.What do you think about this?What is the value of x?

3x - 1 = 3x + 1

Since the equation is false, there is "no solution"!

No value will make this equation true.

move this

Sometimes, you get an interesting answer.What do you think about this?What is the value of x?

3(x - 1) = 3x - 3

Since the equation is true, there are infinitely many solutions! The equation is called an identity.

Any value will make this equation true.

move this

Try these:

4y = 2(y + 1) + 3(y - 1) 14 - (2x + 5) = -2x + 9 9m - 8 = 9m + 4 4y = 2y + 2 + 3y - 3 14 - 2x - 5 = -2x + 9 - 9m - 9m 4y = 5y - 1 9 - 2x = -2x + 9 -8 = 4-5y -5y +2x +2x No Solution -y = -1 9 = 9 y = 1 Identity

Mary's distance (rate time) equals

Jocelyn's distance (rate time)

Mary and Jocelyn left school at 3:00 p.m. and bicycled home along the same bike path. Mary went at a speed of 12 mph and Jocelyn bicycled at 9 mph. Mary got home 15 minutes before Jocelyn. How long did it take Mary to get home?

Define t = Mary's time in hourst + 0.25 = Jocelyn's time in hours

Relate

Write 12t = 9(t+0.25)

12t = 9(t + 0.25)

12t = 9t + 2.25-9t -9t

3t = 2.253 3

t = 0.75

It took Mary 0.75h, or 45 min, to get home.

×

34 Solve.

7f + 7 = 3f + 39

35 Solve.

h - 4 = -5h + 26

36 Solve.

w - 2 + 3w = 6 + 5w

37 Solve.

5(x - 5) = 5x + 19

38 Solve.

-4m + 8 - 2(m + 3) = 4m - 8

39 Solve.

28 - 7r = 7(4 - r)

40 In the accompanying diagram, the perimeter of ∆MNO is equal to the perimeter of square ABCD. If the sides of the triangle are represented by 4x + 4, 5x - 3, and 17, and one side of the square is represented by 3x, find the length of a side of the square.

5x – 3

4x + 4

17N

O

M

3x

A B

C D

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

More Equations

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Remember...

1. Simplify each side of the equation.

2. Collect the variable terms on one side of the equation. (Add or subtract one of the terms from both sides of the equation)

3. Solve the equation.(Undo addition and subtraction first, multiplication and division second)

Remember, whatever you do to one side of an equation, you MUST do to the other side!

Examples:

x = 6

x = 6 Multiply both sides by the reciprocal of

x =

x = 10

2x - 3 = + x-x - x Subtract x from both sides

x - 3 =

+3 +3 Undo Subtraction

x =

3 5 3 5

5 3

5 3

5 3

30 3

-14 5

-14 5

15

×

There is more than one way to solve an equation with distribution.

Multiply by the reciprocal Multiply by the LCM

(-3 + 3x) = 3 5

72 5

(-3 + 3x) = 3 5

72 5

(-3 + 3x) = 3 5

72 5

(-3 + 3x) = 3 5

72 5

5 3

5 3

-3 + 3x = 24+3 +3 3x = 27 3 3 x = 9

(-3 + 3x) = 3 5

72 5

5 5

3(-3 + 3x) = 72 -9 + 9x = 72 +9 +9 9x = 81 9 9 x = 9

41 Solve

-3 5

1 2

x + = 1 10

42 Solve

1 5

- 2b + 5b = -68 35

x + 8 = 7 + x

43 Solve

2 3

(8 - 3c) =

44 Solve

2 3

16 3

-6(7 - 3y) + 4y = 10(2y - 4)

45 Solve

(6 - 2z) = - z - (- 4z + 6)

46 Solve

1 2

9 4

1 8

9.47x = 7.45x - 8.81

47 Solve Round to the nearest hundredth

13.19 - 8.54x = 7.94x - 1.82

48 Solve Round to the nearest hundredth

-3(8 - 2m) + 8m = 4(4 + m)

49 Solve

(2y - 4) = 3(y + 2) - 3y

50 Solve

1 2

Transforming Formulas

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Formulas show relationships between two or more variables.

You can transform a formula to describe one quantity in terms of the others by following the same steps as solving an equation.

Example:

Transform the formula d = r t to find a formulafor time in terms of distance and rate.

What does "time in terms of distance and rate" mean?

d = r tr r

= t d r

Divide both sides by r ×

Examples

V = l wh Solve for w

V = w l h

P = 2l + 2w Solve for l-2w -2wP - 2w = 2l 2 2

P - 2w = l 2

×

Example:

To convert Fahrenheit temperature to Celsius, you use the formula:

C = (F - 32)

Transform this formula to find Fahrenheit temperature in terms of Celsius temperature. (see next page)

5 9

C = (F - 32)

C = F -

+ +

C + = F

C + 32 = F

5 9 5 9

160 9

160 9

160 9 5 9

160 9

9 5

9 5

( ) 9 5

Solve the formula for F

Transform the formula for area of a circle to find radius when given Area.

A = r2

= r2

A = r

A

Solve the equation for the given variable.

m p n q

m p n q

mq p n

= for p

= (q)

=

(q)

2(t + r) = 5 for t

2(t + r) = 5 2 2

t + r =

- r - r

t = - r

5 2

5 2

51 The formula I = prt gives the amount of simple interest, I, earned by the principal, p, at an annual interest rate, r, over t years.

Solve this formula for p.

I rt

Irt

Ir t

It r

p =

p =

p =

A

B

C

D p =

52 A satellite's speed as it orbits the Earth is

found using the formula . In this

formula, m stands for the mass of the Earth.

Transform this formula to find the mass of the

Earth.

rv2

G

v2 =

Gm r

v2 – r

G rv

2 - G

v2

G - r

m =

m =

m =

A

B

C

D m =

53 Solve for t in terms of s

4(t - s) = 7

t = + s

t = 28 + s

t = - s

t =

7 4

7 47 + s 4

A

B

C

D

54 Solve for w

A = lw

w = Al

w =

w =

A l l A

A

B

C

55 Solve for h

V= r2h

h = V - r2

h =

h =

h =

V

r2

V

r2

A

B

C

D V r

56 Which equation is equivalent to 3x + 4y = 15?

y = 15 − 3x

y = 3x − 15

y = 15 – 3x 4y = 3x – 15 4

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011.

A

B

C

D

57 If , b ≠ 0, then x is equal to

- a 4b

a 4b

- 4a b4a b

From the New York State Education Department. Office of Assessment Policy, Development and Administration. Internet. Available from www.nysedregents.org/IntegratedAlgebra; accessed 17, June, 2011

A

B

C

D