Topic 2 - 2.2  --  Solving Linear Equations

Equations 1

Solve for the given variable.

  5a  +  3 =  23       To solve for the variable, isolate it on one side of the equation.

          -3      -3        Add negative 3 to both sides of the equation.

  5a         =   20       Divide by 5.

   5                5        

      a  =  4

Check:  5(4)  +  3  =  23

             20    +  3  =  23

                     23    =  23

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  22  -  4c  =  42                 Add -22 to both sides of the equation.

 -22              -22

          -4c  =  20                 Divide both sides by -4.

          -4         -4

           c  =  -5                   The check is left up to the student.

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Equations 2

  4(x  +  3)  =  -5(3x  -  10)     Remove the parentheses by multiplying the number

  4x  +  12  =  -15x  +  50        in front of the parentheses by each number in the

         -  12                  -12       parentheses following it.

      4x       =   -15x  +  38        Add -12 to both sides of the equation and them

    15x             15x                   add 15x to both sides of the equation.

      19x     =        38                 Divide both sides of the equation by 19.

      19                 19

           x  =  2

                                                                                                                           

  (1/8)n  +  6  =  -(5/8)(n  -  16)     Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD.

                                                    The LCD is 8.   1/8 is a fraction.

(8)(1/8)n  +  (8)(6)  =  (8)(-5/8)(n  -  16)

          n   +    48     =    -5(n  -  16)    All fractions are removed.

          n   +    48     =    -5n  +  80      Notice in this problem I added a -48 and 5n

                   n         =    -5n  +  32      to both sides of the equation and divided both

                 6n         =      32               sides of the equation by 6.  I only put the result

                  n          =     32/6  =  16/3   of each step.

    Remember all fraction must be reduced to its lowest terms.