Solving Linear

Equations and
Linear Inequalities
SAT Math
What are linear equations and inequalities
● Linear equations and inequalities are composed of constants (numbers)
and variables (symbols representing unknown quantities, e.g. x)
● Linear equations use the equal sign (=)
○ 2x + 1 = 5 is a linear equation.
● Linear inequalities use inequality signs (>, <, ≥, and ≤)
○ 2x + 1 > 5 is a linear inequality.
● In this lesson, we will learn to:
○ Solve linear equations
○ Solve linear inequalities
○ Recognize the conditions under which a linear equation has one solution, no solution,
and infinitely many solutions.
Linear Equations in one variable.
Fractions and Negative Numbers
Linear Equations in 2 variables
Using linear equations to evaluate expressions
Exercise 1

1. To solve the equation above, we can first (add 7 to / subtract 7 from) both
sides of the equation to isolate the x-term.

Next we can (multiply / divide) both sides of the equation by -3.

2. What is the value of x?

Types of linear inequalities

● The steps for solving linear inequalities are similar to those for solving
linear equations. For inequalities, we have to pay attention to the
direction of the inequality signs.
Linear inequalities that do not require reversing the
inequality sign
● When the coefficient of x is positive, the inequality sign maintains its
direction when we divide by the coefficient to isolate x.
Linear inequalities that require reversing the inequality
sign.
● When the coefficient of x is negative, we must reverse the direction of the
inequality sign when we divide by the coefficient to isolate x.
Exercise 2

1. To solve for the inequality above, we can first (add 4x to / subtract 4x

from) both sides of the equation.

Next we can (multiply / divide) both sides of the equation by -6 and

(reverse the inequality sign / keep the inequality sign the same).

2. x is (greater than / less than) -3/2

How many solutions can a linear equation have?
Solutions
Solution
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5