Brittany's Algebra II Webpage

    Solving Linear Equations


 3-2x = 4
 Linear Equations-Have one variable.
2x+11=15-6x
You can use properties of real numbers and transformations that produce equivalent equations to solve linear equations.

 

           Now SOLVE:
 
-2(x-4)=12
FIRST you will distribute the -2 to what's in the parenthesis.
-2x+8=12
THEN subtract the 8 from both sides. (The -8 will cancel out with the 8 because they are like terms.) 
-2x = 4
NEXT you will divide the -2 from both sides. (Once again the -2 and -2 will cancel out because they are like terms.)
x = -2
NOW you have the answer, but don't forget to CHECK!

 

            CHECK:
 
 

-2(-2-4) = 12
To CHECK you will substitute the -2 in for x. 
-2(-6) = 12
Then SOLVE with the substitute.
12 = 12 
Our answer checks!!!!

Now lets try something a little harder!



 

-12x+4 = -10x+40-14x
First we want to add all of the like terms. (Remember that you can only add like terms on the same side of the = sign!)
-12x+4=-24x+40
Then we will get all the x's on the same side.  So we will subtract 4 from the 40.
-12x = -24x+36
Now we will add 24 to the -12.
12x = 36
Take the 12 and divide it into the 36.
x = 3
NOW you have x = 3!!!

CHECK....



 

-12(3)+4=-10(3)+40-14(3)
Substitute the 3 in for x.
-36+4=-30+40-42
Follow the order of operations and do your multiplication first.
-32=10-42
Then still following the order of operations we add and sutract.
-32 = -32
Our problem checks!!

Solving Literal Equations:



 
D=MV
Literal Equations have more than one variables.
???
A numerical answer is NOT available for this type of equation! (Formulas are an example of literal equations.)

NOW LET'S TRY ONE!!
Solve...



 
E=IR
Solve for I (voltage)
E=IR
We need to get I by it's self.  So we divide E by R and get...
E/R=I
That's all you do!

Now Let's Try Another!



 
 
C=Q/V
Solve for V (capacitance).
C=Q/V
We need to multiply V by both sides. (Of course it cancels out on one side.)
CV=Q
Now we have our answer!

NOW FOR SOMETHING HARDER!



 
 
F=G(Mm/r2 )
Solve for G (gravitational force).
F=G(Mm/r2 )
Now we need to get the G by itself.  So we multiply r2 to the F.
Fr2=G(Mm)
Now we need to divide the Mm to the Fr2.
Fr2/Mm=G
Now we have our answer!!!

How to write an equation for a line in three ways:
Slope-intercept form:


y=mx+b
In Slope-intercept form you are given the slope (m) and the y-intercept (b), use this equation.

Now let's try a problem!!



 
m=1   b=2
All you haft to do is substitute these numbers into the formula above!
y=1x+b
And that's how you get the slope-intercept form!

Point-slope form:



 
y-y1=m(x-x1)
In Point-slope form you are given the slope (m) and a point (x1,y1), use this equation!

Time for an example!



 
m=5 , (10,15)
This is what you are given!
y-15=5(x-10)
Now you will substitue the given from the line above!THIS IS YOUR ANSWER IN POINT-SLOPE FORM!(You can keep going to get the Slope-intercept form.)
y-15=5x-50
Then you will distribute!
y=5x-35
Then you will add 15 to both sides and come up with the Slope-intercept form.

Standard:



 
ax+by=c
In the Standard form you use this equation. Using this form you can figure out the x and y-intercepts!

You guessed now it's time to try one!



 
y=2x+4
This is what you are given to figure out the standard form!
y-4=2x
Now we need to get both variables onthe same side so we subtract 4 from both sides!
-4=2x-y
Then you will subtract y from both sides and come up with your answer!

The three forms of writing a line can be used to identify various information: such as the slope, the x and y-intercepts, and any various point.

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