Introduction to College

Mathematics
MAT 100
Solving Equations
Objectives
When you complete this lesson, you will be able
to:
Use the addition property of equality to solve equations.
Use the multiplication property of equality to solve
equations.
Solve linear equations in one variable.
Solve word problems containing linear equations in one
variable.
Graph straight lines that represent equations in two
variables.
The Distributive Property and
Algebraic Expressions
Simplify: 2(3x + 1) + 4(2x 5)
( ) ( )
18 14
20 8 2 6 5 2 4 1 3 2
=
+ + = + +
x
x x x x
( )
10
18 28
18 2 14
2

= x
( )
46
18 28
18 2 14
2

= x
The Distributive Property and
Algebraic Expressions, continued
Angles
Degree measure
The Distributive Property and
Algebraic Expressions, continued
Complementary and supplementary angles

60 30 90 = = x

135 45 180 = = x
The Addition Property of
Equality
Solution makes the equation true
Addition Property of Equality
C B C A
B A
+ = +
=
8
8 0
3 5 3 3
5 3
=
= +
+ = +
=
a
a
a
a
The Addition Property of
Equality, continued
Subtraction
Addition of the opposite
6
4 2 4 4
2 4
=
= +
= +
x
x
x
The Multiplication Property of
Equality
BC AC
B A
=
=
( )
6
3 2
2
1
2
3
2
1
=
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
x
x
x
The Multiplication Property of
Equality, continued
Division
5
4
20
4
4
20 4
=

=
=
x
x
x
Linear Equations in One Variable
Contains one variable in 1
st
power, not in
denominator
3x + 2 = 17
Solving
Simplify
Use addition property to put variable terms on one side
and constants on the other
Use multiplication property to get the variable by itself
Check solution
Linear Equations in One
Variable, continued
Solve: 3(x + 2) = -9
( )
5
3
15
3
3
15 3
6 9 6 6 3
9 6 3
9 2 3
=

=
=
= +
= +
= +
x
x
x
x
x
x
Linear Equations in One
Variable, continued
Equations involving fractions
( )
( )
12
48 4
48 3
8 6
6
6
2
6
8 6
6 2
6
8
6 2
=
=
= +
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
= +
x
x
x x
x x
x x
x x
Applications
Blueprint for problem solving
Read and list known and unknown items
Assign a variable to the unknown, translate
other information involving the variable
Write an equation
Solve the equation
Write answer in a complete sentence
Check the solution
Applications, continued
The sum of a number and 2 is 8.
List known and unknown items
Known: Numbers 2 and 8
Unknown: Number in question
Assign variable
Let x = number in question
Write equation
x + 2 = 8
Solve equation

Write the answer
The number is 6.
Check the answer
The sum of 6 and 2 is 8.

6
2 8 2 2
8 2
=
= +
= +
x
x
x
Applications, continued
Labeling triangles

180 = + + C B A
Applications, continued
One angle is twice the smallest, the third angle is 3
times the smallest.
Known: Sum of angles is 180; one angle is twice the
smallest, other is three times the smallest
Unknown: Measure of each angle
Let x = smallest; 2x = second angle; 3x = largest angle
x + 2x + 3x = 180
6x = 180
x = 30
Smallest = 30; second = 60; largest = 90
30 + 60 + 90 = 180
Evaluating Formulas
Formulas contain more than one variable
Perimeter of a rectangle: P = 2w + 2l
The perimeter of a livestock pen is 40 ft. If
the width is 6 ft., find the length.
( )
l
l
l
l
w l P
=
=
+ =
+ =
+ =
14
2 28
12 2 40
6 2 2 40
2 2
Paired Data and Equations in
Two Variables



Ordered pair: (2, 3)
Other solutions
(0, 5)
(-7, 12)
5 = + y x
5 5
5 3 2
3 and 2
=
= +
= = y x
x-coordinate
y-coordinate
The Rectangular Coordinate
System
x-axis
y-axis
Quadrants
The Rectangular Coordinate
System, continued
Plotting ordered pairs
The Rectangular Coordinate
System, continued
Coordinates
A: (2, 3)
B: (-3, -2)
C: (4, -3)
D: (-2, 5)
Graphing Straight Lines
x + y = 4
0 4 4
2 2 4
4 0 4
5 -1 4
Graphing Straight Lines,
continued
To graph a straight line:
Find 3 ordered pairs
Plot the ordered pairs
Draw a line through the three points
Graphing Straight Lines,
continued
Graph y = 2x + 1 when x = -1, 0, and 1



Plot:
(-1, -1)
(0, 1)
(1, 3)
( )
1
1 2
1 1 2
1
=
+ =
+ =
=
y
y
y
x
1
1 0
0
=
+ =
=
y
y
x
3
1 2
1 1 2
1
=
+ =
+ =
=
y
y
y
x
Summary
Addition Property of Equality
Multiplication Property of Equality
Linear equations in one variable
Solving word problems
Graphing straight lines