Section 2-5 Solving Equations with the Variable on Each Side

Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides Solve 7n 2 = 5n + 6.

7n 2 = 5n + 6 5n 5n
2n 2 = +2 2n = 6 +2 8

1: Move variable to one side

2: Add/subtract 3: multiple/divide

n=4

Solve the equation. Check your answer.

4b + 2 = 3b 4b + 2 = 3b 3b 3b b+2= 0 2 2

1: Move variable to one side

2: add/subtract
Check 4b + 2 = 3b 3(2) 6 8 + 2

b = 2

4(2) + 2

Solve the equation. Check your answer. 0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y 0.3
0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y 0.3 1: Move variable to one side

0.3y
0.5 +0.3

0.3y = 0.4y 0.3 + 0.3 = 0.4y

2: add/subtract
3: Multiple/divide
0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y 0.3 0.5 + 0.3(2) 0.7(2) 0.3 1.4 0.3 1.1

0.8

Check

2=y

0.5 + 0.6 1.1

1.4a 3 = 2a + 7
2.-3r + 9 = -4r + 5 3.3d + 8 = 2d 17 4.2x 7 = 5x 10

a=5
r = -4

d = -25
x=1

To solve more complicated equations, you may need to first simplify by using the Distributive Property or combining like terms.

Dont call me after midnight 1. D= Distributive property

2. C= combine like term

3. M = move variable to one side 4. A = addition/subtraction 5. M = Multiplication/division

Solve the equation. Check your answer. 3x + 15 9 = 2(x + 2) D: distributive Property

3x + 15 9 = 2(x + 2) 3x + 15 9 = 2(x) + 2(2) 3x + 15 9 = 2x + 4 C: Combine like term M: move variable to one side A: add/subtract

3x + 6 = 2x + 4 2x 2x
x+6= 4 6 6 x = 2

Simplifying Each Side Before Solving Equations 4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7 2a) 4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7 2a) 4 6a + 4a = 1 5(7) 5(2a) 4 6a + 4a = 1 35 + 10a 4 2a = 36 + 10a C: Combine like terms M: move variable to One side D: Distributive P.

+2a
4

+2a
= -36 + 12a

4 + 36 40

= -36 + 12a A: add/subtract +36 = 12a M: multiply/divide

Check 3x + 15 9 = 2(x + 2)
3(2) + 15 9 6 + 15 9 2(2 + 2) 2(0)

An identity is an equation that is always true, no matter what value is substituted for the variable. The solution set of an identity is all real numbers. Some equations are always false. Their solution sets are empty. In other words, their solution sets contain no elements.

Infinitely Many Solutions or No Solutions Solve the equation. 10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x C: combine like term

10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x
11 5x = 11 5x

The statement 11 5x = 11 5x is true for all values of x. The equation 10 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 12x is an identity. All values of x will make the equation true. In other words, all real numbers are solutions.

Infinitely Many Solutions or No Solutions Solve the equation. 12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x 12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x 13x 3 = 13x 4 13x 13x 3 = 4 C: combine like term

M: move variable to
one side

The equation 12x 3 + x = 5x 4 + 8x is always false. There is no value of x that will make the equation true. There are no solutions.

Writing Math The empty set can be written as or {}.

Check It Out! Example 3a Solve the equation.

4y + 7 y = 10 + 3y
4y + 7 y = 10 + 3y 3y + 7 = 3y + 10 Subtract 3y from both sides. False statement; the solution set is . The equation 4y + 7 y = 10 + 3y is always false. There is no value of y that will make the equation true. There are no solutions. 3y 3y 7 = 10 Identify like terms.

Check It Out! Example 3b Solve the equation. 2c + 7 + c = 14 + 3c + 21 2c + 7 + c = 14 + 3c + 21 Identify like terms. Combine like terms on the left and the right.

3c + 7 = 3c + 7

The statement 3c + 7 = 3c + 7 is true for all values of c. The equation 2c + 7 + c = 14 + 3c + 21 is an identity. All values of c will make the equation true. In other words, all real numbers are solutions.

Additional Example 4: Application Jon and Sara are planting tulip bulbs. Jon has planted 60 bulbs and is planting at a rate of 44 bulbs per hour. Sara has planted 96 bulbs and is planting at a rate of 32 bulbs per hour. In how many hours will Jon and Sara have planted the same number of bulbs? How many bulbs will that be? Person Bulbs

Jon
Sara

60 bulbs plus 44 bulbs per hour

96 bulbs plus 32 bulbs per hour

Additional Example 4 Continued Let h represent hours, and write expressions for the number of bulbs planted. When is
60 plus bulbs 44 bulbs each hour

the same as

96 bulbs

plus

32 bulbs ? each hour

60

44h

96

32h

60 + 44h = 96 + 32h To collect the variable terms on one side, subtract 32h 32h 32h from both sides. 60 + 12h = 96

Additional Example 4 Continued

60 + 12h = 96 60 60 12h = 36

Since 60 is added to 12h, subtract 60 from both sides. Since h is multiplied by 12, divide both sides by 12 to undo the multiplication.

h=3

Additional Example 4 Continued After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will have planted the same number of bulbs. To find how many bulbs they will have planted in 3 hours, evaluate either expression for h = 3: 60 + 44h = 60 + 44(3) = 60 + 132 = 192 96 + 32h = 96 + 32(3) = 96 + 96 = 192 After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will each have planted 192 bulbs.

Check It Out! Example 4 Four times Greg's age, decreased by 3 is equal to 3 times Greg's age, increased by 7. How old is Greg? Let g represent Greg's age, and write expressions for his age.
Four times Greg's age decreased by is equal to three times Greg's age increased by

4g

3g

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued

4g 3 = 3g + 7 3g 3g g3= +3 g= 7 +3 10

To collect the variable terms on one side, subtract 3g from both sides.
Since 3 is subtracted from g, add 3 to both sides.

Greg is 10 years old.

Lesson Quiz
Solve each equation.

1. 7x + 2 = 5x + 8 3 3. 6 7(a + 1) = 3(2 a)

2. 4(2x 5) = 5x + 4 8

4. 4(3x + 1) 7x = 6 + 5x 2 all real numbers 5. 20 hours 6. A painting company charges $250 base plus $16 per hour. Another painting company charges $210 base plus $18 per hour. How long is a job for which the two companies costs are the same? 1