Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Straight Lines

Pre-sessional Mathematics 2020
Chapter 1
Linear Equations and Straight Lines
This chapter discusses some of the basic aspects of algebra, on which the rest of the subject builds.
It is essential to have a good understanding of these topics before we move on to more advanced
topics. This chapter covers linear equations in one variable, linear equations in two variables,
sketching straight lines and finding the gradient and solving simultaneous linear equations.
Linear Equations in One Variable
The general form of a linear equation in one variable can be written as ax = c, where a and c are
some known values, called constants with the condition that a  0, and x is a variable. The letters
x, y, z, p, q, r, u, v, … are commonly used to denote a variable.
The solution of the linear equation is the value of the variable x that can be derived from the linear
equation.
For the equation ax = c, the solution is

𝑐
𝑥=
𝑎
Example 1
Solve the following linear equations.
𝑎) 2𝑥 = 8 𝑏) 3𝑥 = 10 𝑐) 𝑦 − 4 = 0 𝑑) 5𝑧 + 40 = 0 𝑒) 7𝑥 − 18 = 3
Solution
8
𝑎) 2𝑥 = 8, 𝑥= =4
2
Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Straight Lines

10
𝑏) 3𝑥 = 10, 𝑥=
3
𝑐) 𝑦 − 4 = 0, 𝑦 = 4
40
𝑑) 5𝑧 + 40 = 0, 5𝑧 = −40, 𝑧=− = −8
5
21
𝑒) 7𝑥 − 18 = 3, 7𝑥 = 3 + 18 = 21, 𝑥= =3
7
In the next example, variable appears on both sides of the equation.
1
Example 2
Solve the following linear equations.
𝑎) 𝑥 − 2 = 8𝑥 − 30 𝑏) 3𝑦 − 1 = 𝑦 + 11 𝑐) − 2𝑝 + 4 = 𝑝 − 3
𝑑) 𝑧 + 20 = 4𝑧 − 10 𝑒) 11𝑥 − 28 = 3𝑥 − 17
f) 5x – 4 = 2x + 11
Solution
−28
𝑎) 𝑥 − 2 = 8𝑥 − 30, 𝑥 − 8𝑥 = −30 + 2, − 7𝑥 = −28, 𝑥 = =4
−7
12
𝑏) 3𝑦 − 1 = 𝑦 + 11, 3𝑦 − 𝑦 = 11 + 1, 2𝑦 = 12, 𝑦= =6
2
−7 7
𝑐) − 2𝑝 + 4 = 𝑝 − 3, − 2𝑝 − 𝑝 = −3 − 4, − 3𝑝 = −7, 𝑝 = =
−3 3
−30
𝑑) 𝑧 + 20 = 4𝑧 − 10 , 𝑧 − 4𝑧 = −10 − 20, − 3𝑧 = −30 𝑧= = 10
−3
11
𝑒) 11𝑥 − 28 = 3𝑥 − 17, 11𝑥 − 3𝑥 = −17 + 28, 8𝑥 = 11, 𝑥=
8
f) 5x – 4 = 2x + 11, 5x - 2x = 11 + 4, 3x = 15,  x = 5.
Equations with no solutions

There can be linear equations that can not be satisfied by any value of x. Such equations are
equations with no solutions.
Example 3
Solve 2x – 11 = 9 + 2x for x.
Solution
2x – 11 = 9 + 2x,
2x – 2x = 9 + 11, 0 = 20, which can never be true. So, the equation has no solution.
2
Equations with infinite number of solutions
There can be linear equations that can be satisfied by any value of x. Such equations are
equations with infinite number of solutions.
Example 4
Solve 3x – 1 = 3x - 1 for x.
Solution
3x – 1 = 3x - 1,
3x – 3x = -1 + 1, 0 = 0, which is always true. So, the equation has infinite number of solutions.
Linear Equations in Two Variables
The simplest form of a linear equation in two variables is ax + by = c, where a, b and c are constants
such that a  0, b  0. A linear equation in two variables has an infinite number of solutions.
Consider the linear equation, 2x + 3y = 27. The equation can be arranged to the form
2
𝑦 =− 𝑥+9
3
By substituting x = 3 into this equation, we get y = 7.
We have infinite number of x and y which can satisfy this equation. These are all the solutions to

the equation. The solutions can be written in coordinate form as: (3, 7), (6, 5), (9, 3), and so on.
Simultaneous Equations
If we have two linear equations in two variables x and y, the variables x and y satisfy the two
equations simultaneously. We call the two linear equations as a system of simultaneous linear
equations.
A system of simultaneous linear equations can be solved by either the substitution method or
elimination method as explained in the following example. By solving a system of equations, we
find the point(s) of intersection of the graphs of the two functions.
3
Substitution Method
To solve,
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 4, 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5, let us name the equations as equation (1) and (2).
2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 4 − − − (1)
3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5 − − − (2)
From (1), 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 − − − (3)

Substitute (3) into (2)
∴ 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5
 3𝑥 − 2(2𝑥 − 4) = 5
 3𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 8 = 5
 − 𝑥 = −3, 𝑥 = 3
From (3), 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 4 = 2(3) − 4 = 2
 x = 3, y = 2
Elimination Method
(1) × 2: 4𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 8 − − − (3)
3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 5 − − − (2)
(3) − (2): 𝑥 = 3
Put x = 3 into (1): 2(3) − 𝑦 = 4, ∴ 6 − 𝑦 = 4, ∴ 𝑦 = 2
 x = 3, y = 2
Example 5

Solve the following system of simultaneous linear equations.
(𝑎) 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 4, 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9
(𝑏) 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 33, 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 15
Solution
(𝑎) 2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 4 − − − (1) 𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 9 − − − (2)
Elimination Method:
From (2), 𝑥 = 9 + 2𝑦 − − − (3)
4
Substitute (3) into (1), 2(9 + 2𝑦) + 3𝑦 = 4, 7𝑦 = 4 − 18, 7𝑦 = −14, ∴ 𝑦 = −2
Substitute 𝑦 = −2 into (3), 𝑥 = 9 + 2(−2) = 5
The solution is 𝑥 = 5, 𝑦 = −2.
(𝑏) 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 33 − − − (1) 4𝑥 − 3𝑦 = 15 − − − (2)
Substitution Method:
(1) × 4 gives 12𝑥 + 20𝑦 = 132 − − − (3)
(2) × 3 gives 12𝑥 − 9𝑦 = 45 − − − (4)

87
(3) − (4) becomes 29𝑦 = 87, 𝑦 = = 3
29
Substitute 𝑦 = 3 into (1), 3𝑥 + 5(3) = 33, 3𝑥 = 18, 𝑥 = 6
The solution is 𝑥 = 6, 𝑦 = 3.
Straight Lines
The graph of a linear equation in two variables is a straight line. Consider a linear equation of the
form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐. This equation can be simplified to the form
𝑎 𝑐
𝑦=− 𝑥+
𝑏 𝑎
𝑏
The slope of the straight line corresponding to the linear equation is − 𝑎 and the y-intercept of the
𝑐
straight line is 𝑎.

To draw the graph of a straight for a given linear equation, we either use the slope and y-intercept
or we find any two solutions of the linear equations.
3
Consider the linear equation 2𝑦 − 3𝑥 = 12, which can be re-written as 𝑦 = 2 𝑥 + 6.
To draw the straight line, let us find two solutions of this equation. Most of the time, it would be
easier to use the solution where one of the two coordinate values is taken as zero.
When x = 0, then y = (3/2)(0) + 6 = 6.
When y = 0, then 0 = (3/2)(x) + 6, x = -4.
5
Therefore, the two solutions that we have found are (0, 6) and (-4, 0). Plot the two points on the
graph as A and B.
Now, join the points A and B to get the straight line of the linear function.
We have seen that by solving a system of equations, we find the point of intersection of the graphs
of the two functions. In the next example we will draw two linear functions on the same graph,
where the point of intersection of the two straight lines is the solution of the simultaneous linear
equations.
Example 6
Draw the graphs of 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 and 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2 on the same diagram.

Solution
To graph the linear function, 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3, we find two points on this straight line.
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 3.  (0, 3) is a point on straight line.
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑦 = 0. ∴ 2𝑥 + 3 = 0, 𝑥 = −1.5.  (-1.5, 0) is a point on straight line.
We plot these two points on the graph and join them with a straight line to get the graph of 𝑦 =
2𝑥 + 3.
6
To graph the linear function, 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2, we find two points on this straight line.
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 2.  (0, 2) is a point on the straight line.
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑦 = 0. ∴ −𝑥 + 2 = 0, 𝑥 = 2.  (2, 0) is a point on the straight line.
We plot these two points on the same graph and join them with a straight line to get the graph of
𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2.
Note that the point of intersection of the two straight lines can be obtained by solving the
simultaneous linear equations 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 and 𝑦 = −𝑥 + 2.
By substitution method,
1
2𝑥 + 3 = −𝑥 + 2, 3𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = − .
3

1 1 7
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = − , 𝑦 = 2 (− ) + 3 =
3 3 3
1 7
The point of intersection is (− 3 , 3).
7
Slope of a straight line passing through two points (x1, y1) and (x2, y2)
y2 − y1
Slope of a straight line that passes through (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) is given by m =
x2 − x1
6−3 3
For example, the slope of a straight line that passes through (2, 3) and (-3, 6) is m = =−
−3−2 5
In the following graph, considering the two points plotted on the straight line, slope is given by
Change in the value of y −1

𝑚 = Change in the value of x = . Note that the value of y decreases as the value of x increases.
3
Example 7
Find the slope of the following straight lines
a) b)
Solution
a) The coordinates of the two points shown in the graph are (1, 2) and (3, -4).
8
Change in the value of y 2 − (−4)

𝑚= = = −3
Change in the value of x 1−3
b) The coordinates of the two points shown in the graph are (0, 3) and (-3, -4).
Change in the value of y 3 − (−4) 7

𝑚= = =
Change in the value of x 0 − (−3) 3
Finding the equation of a straight with slope and a point
𝑎 𝑐
We have seen that a linear equation of the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 can be written as 𝑦 = − 𝑏 𝑥 + 𝑎
𝑏 𝑐
where − 𝑎 is the slope of the straight line and 𝑎 is the y-intercept of the straight line.
Usually, the letter m is used to denote the slope of a straight line. So, the general form of a straight
line can also be written in the slope and intercept form as y = mx + c.
Let us now consider the equation of the straight line of the form y = mx + c, where m is the slope
and c is the y-intercept.
Suppose the point (a, b) lies on a straight line with slope m. Then, we replace x by a, and y by b
in the equation y = mx + c to obtain b = ma + c. We can then solve this equation for c.
Example 8
a) Find the equation of the straight line passing through (5, 2) with slope 3.
b) Find the equation of the straight line passing through (1, 2) with slope 7.

c) Find the equation of the straight line passing through (-2, 5) with slope -4.
Solution
a) As the slope is given as 3, y = mx + c becomes y = 3x + c.
Substituting x = 5, y = 2 into y = 3x + c, we obtain 2 = (3 × 5) + c ∴ c + 15 = 2 ∴ c = –

13.
Hence, equation of line is y = 3x – 13.
9
b) As the slope is given as 7, y = mx + c becomes y = 7x + c.
Substituting x = 1, y = 2 into y = 7x + c, we obtain 2 = (7 × 1) + c ∴ c + 7 = 2 ∴ c = –5.
Hence, equation of line is y = 7x – 5.
c) As the slope is given as -4, y = mx + c becomes y = -4x + c.
Substituting x = -2, y = 5 into y = -4x + c, we obtain 5 = (-4 × -2) + c ∴ c + 8 = 5 ∴ c =

–3.
Hence, equation of line is y = -4x – 3.
Example 9
Find the equation of the straight line passing through the points (1, 2) and (4, 7).
Solution
Let the equation of the straight line be y = mx + c.
2−7 5
𝑚= =
1−4 3
5
Therefore 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 becomes 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 + 𝑐.
To find c, we substitute either (1, 2) or (4, 7) into this equation. Substituting (1, 2) we get,
5 5 1
(1) + 𝑐,

2= 𝑐 =2− =
3 3 3
Therefore, the equation of the straight line is
5 1
𝑦= 𝑥+
3 3
10
Revision Problems
1. Solve each of the following for x.
(𝑎) 5𝑥 + 4 = 9𝑥 − 8 (𝑏)26 − 2𝑥 = 8𝑥 − 44
(𝑐) 9(3𝑥 + 4) − 2𝑥 = 11 + 5(4𝑥 − 1)
𝑥 𝑥
(𝑑) − 16 = + 14
2 12
5 3 7
(𝑒) + =
𝑥 𝑥+4 𝑥
2. Find the point of intersection of equations 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 4 and 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 4
3. Sketch the graph of the following linear equations
a) 4x + y = 0
b) 10x – 3y = -15
c) x + y = -3
d) x=5
e) 7x + 2y = -10
f) x – 2y = -6
g) x+y=0
h) 9x + y = 4
i) y=5
4. Find the slope of the following straight lines:
a)
b)
11
c)
5. Find the equation of the straight line passing through
a) (3, 1) with slope 1/2.

b) (-1, 2) with slope 2.
12
Solutions to Revision Problems
1. Solve each of the following for x.
(𝑎) 5𝑥 + 4 = 9𝑥 − 8
∴ 5𝑥 − 9𝑥 = −8 − 4, − 4𝑥 = −12, 𝑥=3
(𝑏)26 − 2𝑥 = 8𝑥 − 44
∴ −2𝑥 − 8𝑥 = −44 − 26, −10𝑥 = −70, 𝑥=7
(𝑐) 9(3𝑥 + 4) − 2𝑥 = 11 + 5(4𝑥 − 1)
∴ 27𝑥 + 36 − 2𝑥 = 11 + 20𝑥 − 5,
25𝑥 + 36 = 20𝑥 + 6, 25𝑥 − 20𝑥 = 6 − 36, 5𝑥 = −30, 𝑥 = −6

𝑥 𝑥
(𝑑) − 16 = + 14
2 12
∴ 6𝑥 − 16 × 12 = 𝑥 + 14 × 12, [On multiplying throughout by 12]
6𝑥 − 𝑥 = 14 × 12 + 16 × 12, 5𝑥 = 30 × 12, 𝑥 = 6 × 12 = 72
5 3 7
(𝑒) + =
𝑥 𝑥+4 𝑥
∴ 5(𝑥 + 4) + 3𝑥 = 7(𝑥 + 4) [On multiplying throughout by x(x+4)]
5𝑥 + 20 + 3𝑥 = 7𝑥 + 28, 8𝑥 − 7𝑥 = 28 − 20, 𝑥=8
2. Finding the point of intersect for the pair of equations means solving the pair of equations. Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Straight Lines
(𝑎) 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 4 − − − (1) 3𝑥 − 2𝑦 = 4 − − − (2)
8
(1) + (2) gives, 4𝑥 = 8, 𝑥 = 4 = 2
2
Substitute 𝑥 = 2 into (1), 2 + 2(𝑦) = 4, 2𝑦 = 2, 𝑦 = 2 = 1
The point of intersection is 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 1.
13
3. Graph of linear equations

a) 4x + y = 0;
When x = 0, then y = 0; When x = 1, then y = -4. The straight line passes through (0, 0)
and (1, -4).
b) 10x – 3y = -15
When x = 0, then y = 5; When y = 0, then x = -1.5. The straight line passes through (0, 5)
and (-1.5, 0).
c) x + y = -3
When x = 0, then y = -3; When y = 0, then x = -3. The straight line passes through (0, -3)
and (-3, 0).
d) x = 5
14
For any value of y, the value of x is 5. We can say that the line passes through (5, 0) and
(5, 5).
e) 7x + 2y = -10
When x = 0, then y = -5; When y = 0, then x = -1.4. The straight line passes through (0, -
5) and (-1.4, 0).
f) x – 2y = -6
When x = 0, then y = 3; When y = 0, then x = -6. The straight line passes through (0, 3)

and (-6, 0).
15
g) x + y = 0
When x = 0, then y = 0; When y = 1, then x = -1. The straight line passes through (0, 0)
and (-1, 1).
h) 9x + y = 4
When x = 0, then y = 4; When y = -5, then x = 1. The straight line passes through (0, 4)
and (1, -5).
i) y = 5; For any value of x, the value of y remains the same as 5. So, we can say that the
line passes through (0, 5) and (1, 5).
4. Slope
16
a)
𝑚= =
Change in the value of x 2
b)
Change in the value of y 3
𝑚= =
c)

𝑚= = = −3
5.
a) As the slope is given as 1/2, y = mx + c becomes y = (½)x + c.
Substituting x = 3, y = 1 into y = x/2 + c, we obtain 1 = (3/2) + c ∴ c = 1 – 3/2 ∴ c = –

1/2.
1 1
Hence, equation of line is 𝑦 = 2 𝑥 − 2.
b) As the slope is given as 2, y = mx + c becomes y = 2x + c.
Substituting x = -1, y = 2 into y = 2x + c, we obtain 2 = (2 × -1) + c ∴ c - 2 = 2 ∴ c = 4.
Hence, equation of line is y = 2x + 4.
17

Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Straight Lines

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Chapter 1 Linear Equations and Straight Lines

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Pre-sessional Mathematics 2020

Linear Equations and Straight Lines

Linear Equations in One Variable

For the equation ax = c, the solution is

Solve the following linear equations.