Solving Linear Equations

Linear Equation:
a mathematical expression that has an equal sign and linear expressions
Variable:
a number that you don't know, often represented by "x" or "y"
but any letter will do!
Variable(s) in linear expressions
 Cannot have exponents (or powers)
For example, x squared or x2
 Cannot multiply or divide each other
For example: "x" times "y" or xy; "x" divided by "y" or x/y
 Cannot be found under a root sign or square root sign (sqrt)
For example: √x or the "square root x"; sqrt (x)
Linear Expression:
a mathematical statement that performs 
functions of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
These are examples of linear expressions:
x+ 2x + 4 2x + 4y
4
These are not linear expressions:
x2 (no exponents on
variables)
2xy + 4 (can't multiply two
variables)
2x / 4y (can't divide two
variables)
√x (no square root sign
on variables)
Solve these linear
equations by clicking
and dragging 
a number to the
"other" side of the
equal sign. 
Remember that you
are "isolating" the
unknown "X" to solve
the problem. 

More examples:
Linear equation, solving example #1:
Find x if: 2x + 4 = 10
1 Isolate "x" to one side of the equation  2x + 4 - 4 = 10 - 4
 . by subtracting 4 from both sides: 2x = 6

2 Divide both sides by 2: 2x / 2 = 6 / 2

. x=3

3 Check your work with the original 2x + 4 = 10

. equation: (2 * 3) + 4 = 10
6 + 4 = 10
Linear equation, solving example #2:
Find x if: 3x - 4 = -10
(using negatives)
1 Isolate "x" to one side of the equation  3x - 4 + 4 = -10 + 4
. by adding 4 to both sides: 3x = -6

2 Divide both sides by 3: 3x / 3 = -6 / 3

. x = -2
3 Check your work with the original (3 * -2) - 4 = -10
. equation: -6 - 4 = -10
Linear equation, solving example #3:
Find x if: 4x - 4y = 8
(using more than one variable)
1 First step is to isolate "x"  4x - 4y + 4y = 8
. to one side of the equation by adding 4y + 4y
to both sides: 4x = 8 + 4y
2 Second step is to divide both sides by 4: 4x / 4 = (8 + 4y)
. /4
x=2+y
3 Check your work with the original 4 * (2 + y) - 4y
. equation: =8
8 + 4y - 4y = 8
8=8
Linear equation, solving example #4:
Find x if: x + 32 = 12 
Note: since the square is on the number and not on the variable,
the expression qualifies as a linear expression
1 x + 32 = 12
. First step is to square the number: x + 9 = 12
2 x + 9 - 9 = 12 - 9
. Second step is to subtract both sides by 9: x=3
3 + 32 = 12
3 Check your work with the original 3 + 9 = 12
. equation: 12 = 12

 4 x = 36

2. – 2 x = –26
2 x + 16 = 10

3. 6(8 – 2 x )+ 25 = 5(2 – 3 x )

4. – 4(8 – 3 x ) = 2 x + 8

5. 7(2 x – 3) – 4( x + 5)= 8( x – 1)+ 3

7. 5 x + 7 = 6( x – 2) – 4(2 x – 3)

8. 3(2 x – 5) – 2(4 x + 1)= – 5( x + 3) – 2

9. – 4(3 x – 2) – (– x + 6)= – 5 x + 8