Algebra – Assignment

2 X +6=5 X +3(1.5 a)
8 X +5=5 X +10(1.5 b)
1. Balance Beam for Equation 1.5a
To solve the given equation, the balance beam technique is used. The balance beam for the
problem is shown below.

2 X +6 5 X +3

By checking different values of X, it can be seen that the balance beam will tilt to the left for
values of X less than 1. The beam will tilt to the right for values of X greater than 1 and the beam
balances at X = 1.
2. Table for Equation 1.5a
The table below shows the results for different values of X.
X Left Hand Side Right Hand Side
-4 -2 -17
-3 0 -12
-2 2 -7
0 6 3
1 8 8
2 10 13
3 12 18
4 14 23

3. Description of Solution for Equation 1.5a

It can be seen from the table that the equality is obtained when value of X becomes equal to 1.
Following steps are used to verify the solution.
Combining like terms on each side of Equation 1.5a:
2 X−5 X=3−6
−3 X =−3
Dividing both sides of above equation by -3:
 −3 X −3
=
−3 −3
Simplifying above equation:
X =1
Thus, the solution of Equation 1.5a is X=1 as this solution yields equality.
For values of X more than 1, the right-hand side of the equation becomes greater than the left
hand side of the equation and the equation is not balanced. For values of X less than 1, the left-
hand side of equation becomes higher than the right-hand side of the equation, again disturbing
the balance of equation. The Equation 1.5a balances only at X=1.
 1. Balance Beam for Equation 1.5b
To solve the given equation, the balance beam technique is used. The balance beam for the
problem is shown below.

8 X +5 5 X +10

By checking different values of X, it can be seen that the balance beam will tilt to the left for
values of X greater than 5/3. The beam will tilt to the right for values of X less than 5/3 and the
beam balances at X = 5/3.
2. Table for Equation 1.5b
The table below shows the results for different values of X.
X Left Hand Side Right Hand Side
-4 -27 -10
-2 -11 0
0 5 10
1 13 15
5/3 55/3 55/3
2 21 20
4 37 30

3. Description of Solution for Equation 1.5b

It can be seen from the table that the equality is obtained when value of X becomes equal to 5/3.
Following steps are used to verify the solution.
Combining like terms on each side of Equation 1.5b:
8 X −5 X=10−5
3 X =5
Dividing both sides of above equation by 3:
3X 5
=
3 3
Simplifying above equation:
 5
X=
3
Thus, the solution of Equation 1.5b is X=5/3 as this solution yields equality.
For values of X more than 5/3, the left-hand side of the equation becomes greater than the right-
hand side of the equation and the equation is not balanced. For values of X less than 5/3, the
right-hand side of equation becomes higher than the left-hand side of the equation, again
disturbing the balance of equation. The Equation 1.5b balances only at X=5/3.