2-1 Solve Equations with Rational Coefficients

Coefficient- the numerical

factor of a term that contains a
variable

The number attached to the front

of a variable.

Ex 1. Find the solution to the equation and CHECK

3 1 2
𝑎. ) 𝑐 = 18 𝑏. ) 𝑥 = 12 𝑐. ) − 𝑥=4
4 5 9

5 6
𝑑. ) 15 = 𝑛 𝑒. ) − 24 = − 𝑝 𝑓. ) − 1.4𝑥 = 2.1
3 7

*Always change mixed numbers to improper fractions before you start

1 1 5
𝑔. ) 4 =3 𝑐 ℎ. ) − 9 𝑤 = 108
6 3 8

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Ex. 2 Ivanna’s softball team won 75%, or 18 of its games.

a.) Define your variable

b.) Write an equation to determine the number of games the team played
c.) Solve

2-2 Solve Two-Step Equations

*To Solve Two Step Equations
1.) Eliminate the number that is adding or subtracting to the variable using inverse operations.
2.) Eliminate the number that is multiplying or dividing to the variable using inverse operations.

Ex. 1 Find the solution to the equation (level 1)

𝑎. ) 2𝑥 + 3 = 7 𝑏. ) 3𝑥 + 2 = 20 𝑐. ) 5 + 2𝑛 = −1

Ex. 2 Find the solution to the equation (level 2)

1 1 2
𝑎. ) 25 = 𝑛 − 3 𝑏. ) −1= 𝑎+9 𝑐. ) 𝑟−5=7
4 2 5

2
Ex. 3 Find the solution to the equation (level 3)

2
𝑎. ) − 6𝑥 − 3 = 21 𝑏. ) 10 − 𝑝 = 52 𝑐. ) − 19 = −3𝑥 + 2
3

𝑥
𝑑. ) − 2 = −18 e.) Chicago’s lowest recorded temperature in degrees Fahrenheit is
−3
-27. Solve the equation −27 = 1.8𝑐 + 32 to convert to degrees
Celsius

2-3 Write Two-Step Equations

*Translating Verbal Phrases into Expressions

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

Plus Minus Times Divided by
Sum Difference Product Quotient
Total Less Multiplied By half
In All Subtract Of
Double
Triple

*when you see the words “than” or “from”, throw it

behind whatever value was first given. The word “is”
means equals (=).
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Ex. 1 Translate each sentence into an equation.
a.) Eight less than three times a number is -23.

b.) Thirteen is 7 more than one-fifth of a number.

c.) Fifteen equals three more than six times a number.

d.) Ten increased by the quotient of a number and 6 is 5.

e.) The difference between twelve and two-thirds of a number is 18.

You buy 3 books that each cost the same amount and a magazine, all for $55.99. You know that
the magazine costs $1.99. How much does each book cost?
a.) Define your variable
b.) Write your equation
c.) Solve

A personal trainer buys a weight bench for $500 and w weights for $24.99 each. The total
cost of the purchase is $849.86. How many weights were purchased?
a.) Define your variable
b.) Write your equation
c.) Solve

You and your friend’s lunch cost $19. Your lunch cost $3 more than your friend’s lunch. How
much was your friend’s lunch?
a.) Define your variable
b.) Write your equation
c.) Solve

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 2-4 Solve Equations with Variables on Each Side
To solve equations with variables on both sides:
1. Put the variables together using inverse operations. (You need variables on one side of
the equal side and constants on the other side)
2. Isolate the variables.
3. Solve.

Ex 1 Find the solution of the equation

𝑎. ) 8 + 4𝑥 = 5𝑥 𝑏. ) 6𝑛 − 1 = 4𝑛 − 5 𝑐. ) 8𝑎 = 5𝑎 + 21

𝑒. ) 3𝑥 − 7 = 8𝑥 + 23

Green’s Gym charges an enrollment fee of $50 and $30 per session with a personal trainer.
Blue’s Gym charges a one-time fee of $250 plus $10 for each session with a personal trainer.
How many sessions would it take for the cost to be the same at each gym?

a.) Define your variable

b.) Write your equation
c.) Solve

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 *Equations with Fraction Coefficients
Ex 2 Find the solution to the equation
The Bracket Method:
2 1
𝑎. ) 𝑥−1=9− 𝑥 1. Put all the
3 6 numbers as
fractions.

2. Find the LCD

(Least Common
Denominator).

3. Place the LCD

outside of the
brackets and
distribute.
1 3
𝑏. ) 𝑝+7= 𝑝+9
2 4 4. Divide the LCD
with the
denominators and
multiply with what
is left.

5. Solve! ☺

5 1 3 5
𝑐. ) − 𝑥− =− + 𝑐
4 2 4 8

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 2-5 Solve Multi-Step Equations
Does your equation have fractions?
Find the solution to the equation Yes—Do the bracket
𝑎. ) 15(20 + 𝑥) = 420 No—Go to Next Step

Does your equation involve the

distributive property?
(Do you see parenthesis?)
Yes—Rewrite the equation using the
distributive property.
No—Go to Next Step

𝑏. ) 4𝑥 − 3(𝑥 − 2) = 2(3𝑥 − 2) Do you have like terms on either

side?
Yes—Combine like terms.
(Don’t forget to take the sign in
front of each term!)
No– Go to Next Step

Do you have variables on both

sides of the equation?
Yes—Move variables to one side and
constants to the other side.
𝑐. ) 5(𝑥 − 3) + 2𝑥 = 41 No—Go to Next Step

At this point, you should have a basic

two-step equation.
Eliminate the addition/subtraction
Eliminate the multiplication/division

Check your answer using

substitution!

Congratulations! You are finished the

problem!

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𝑎. ) 6(𝑥 − 3) + 10 = 2(3𝑥 − 4) Types of solutions

Null Set or Empty

Set – the solution is
not possible, example
4=0

One Solution – The

types of answers we
have been getting.
𝑏. ) 8(4 − 2𝑥) = 4(3 − 5𝑥) + 4𝑥
𝑥=9

Identity or infinitely
many solutions – when
both sides of the
equation are the same

𝑐. ) 3(6 − 4𝑥) = −2(6𝑥 − 9)

Hunter bought 3 snacks and 10 ride tickets at the fair. Each ride ticket cost $1.50 less than a
snack. If he spent a total of $24, what was the cost of each snack?
a.) Define your variable
b.) Write your equation
c.) Solve