EQUATIONS

An equation is when we have made a statement about a pronumeral and

we want to find the value that makes it true.
One step Equation:
To solve equations we look at doing opposite (inverse operations)
Example: Solve the following one-step equations by using inverse operations to balance the
scales.
R
a) n + 7 = 13 b) p − 5 = 2 c) 3x = 27 d) 6 = 8

Solution:
a) n + 7 = 13
n + 7 − 7 = 13− 7
n=6
Check: LHS = n + 7 = 6 + 7 = 13
∴ LHS = RHS

b) p − 5 = 2
p−5+5=2+5
p=7
Check: LHS = p − 5 = 7 − 5 = 2

∴ LHS = RHS

c) 3x = 27

3x 27
3 = 3

x=9

Check: LHS = 3x = 3 × 9 = 27
∴ LHS = RHS

R
d) 6 = 8

R
6
×6=8×6

R = 48
R 48
Check: LHS = 6 = 6 = 8 = RHS

Do the questions 1-3 from Exercise 13C on Page 358

Two Step Equations:
Example: Solve the following two-step equations.
a) 4a + 8 = 20 b) 5 − 2q = 14

Solution:
a) 4a + 8 = 20 b) 5 − 2q = 14

4a + 8 − 8 = 20 − 8 5 − 2q − 5 = 14 − 5

4a = 12 −2q = 9
−2 q 9
4a
= 12
−2
= −2
4 4
1
a=3 q = −4 2
Check: LHS = 4a + 8
= 4 × 3 + 8 = 20
Check: LHS = 5 − 2q
∴ LHS = RHS 1
= 5 − 2 × −4 2

Do the questions 4-7 from Exercise 13C

Equations with pronumerals on both sides
When solving equations with pronumerals on both sides of the equals sign, it is important to
collect:
• the pronumerals on one side
• the numerals on the other side.
This is done by adding or subtracting pronumerals and numbers, as shown in Example.

Example: Solve these equations.

a 4x + 7 = 6x + 3 b 7y − 2 = 13 + 4y

Solution: b 7y − 2 = 13 + 4y
a 4x + 7 = 6x + 3
7y − 2 − 4y = 13 + 4y − 4y
4x + 7 − 6x = 6x + 3 − 6x
3y − 2 = 13
−2x + 7 = 3
3y − 2 + 2 = 13 + 2
−2x + 7 − 7 = 3 − 7
3y = 15
−2x = −4
3y 15
−2 x −4 =
−2
= −2
3 3

y=5
x=2
Check: Substitute y = 5 into 7y − 2 = 13
Check:
+ 4y.
Substitute x = 2 into 4x + 7 = 6x + 3
7 × 5 − 2 = 13 + 4 × 5
4×2+7=6×2+3
33 = 33 ∴ LHS = RHS
15 = 15
∴ LHS = RHS

Do Exercise 13D on Page 363

Equations with grouping symbols
First expand the brackets, and then solve the equation.
Example: Expand the grouping symbol, and then solve the equation.
a 4(x + 7) = 38 b 5(3d − 2) = 62

Solution: a 4(x + 7) = 38 b) 5(3d - 2) = 62

4x + 28 = 38 15d - 10 = 62
-28 -28 +10 +10

4x = 10 15d = 72

÷4 ÷4 ÷15 ÷15

X 72
10 d = = 4.8
x = 15
4

= 2.5

Do the questions 1-3 from Exercise 13E

Substituting into a formula

Like equations, the aim is to determine the value of an ‘unknown’ pronumeral. To do this, we need to know
the values of the other pronumerals so that the values can be substituted into the given formula.

EXAMPLE 1
a) The area of a rectangle is A = lb. Find A if l = 6 cm and b = 3 cm.
b) The circumference of a circle is C = 2πr. Find C if π = 3.14 and r = 5 cm.

Solution:
a) A = lb b C = 2πr
=6×3 = 2 × 3.14 × 5
∴ A = 18 cm2 ∴ C = 31.4 cm

Do the questions Exercise 13F

Solving Problems using equations
You have to follow these steps to solve problems:
1. Introduce a pronumeral
2. Write down an equation based on the problem
3. Solve the equation
4. Answer the problem

Do the questions 1-2 from Exercise 13G

Graphing Inequations
An inequation is a number sentence where the equals sign has been replaced
by an inequality sign. The most common inequality signs are:

The inequations usually have more than one solution.

  The equation x + 8 = 10 has one solution, namely x =2
 The inequation x + 8 ˃ 10 has an infinite number of solutions. Some
1
solutions would be: 2 2 , 2.9, 12, 20 etc.
The full set of solution is written as x ˃ 2
The infinite number of answers can be graphed on the number line as:

Do the questions 1-3 from Exercise 10.07

Solving Inequations
When solving inequations we can use the same rule as for equations
except for one important exception:

 When multiplying or dividing by a negative number, the

inequality sign must be reversed to obtain an equivalent
inequation.
Eg: ˃ is changed to ˂ and ≤ is changed to ≥
Do Exercise 10.08

SIMPLE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

There are two solutions to the equation: x 2 = c

This equation is called a quadratic equation because the variable has a power of 2.
6. Solve, giving answers to two decimal places if necessary.
a) 9x2 - 8 = 56
b) 4x2 + 3 = 52
c) 81x2 + 7 = 107
d) 49x2 − 20 = 5
7. Solve the quadratics.
a) m2 – 65m = 0
b) x2 – 12x + 27 = 0
c). k2 – 12k = 0
d) b2 + 12b + 35 = 0
e) x2 – 19x = 0
f) x3 + 3x2 +2x = 0
g) x2 + 9x = 0
h) x2 – 10x + 9 = 0
i) n2 + 21n = 0
j) y2 – 10y + 21 = 0
 Formulae
 A formula is a type of equation which may represent a relationship.
 A formula is different than equation because it will have more than one
pronumeral. To find the value of one pronumeral, we must have the
value of other pronumeral in the formula.

I. Finding the subject of formula:

II. Finding the value of pronumeral that is not the subject

Do the questions 1-7 from Exercise