NZ Level 6 (NZC) Level 1 (NCEA)
Solving Linear Equations
Lesson

When we want to solve linear equations, we are basically trying to find an unknown value.

We built up our knowledge of solving equations over the last few chapters. Firstly, we talked about the importance of keeping equations equivalent or balanced. Basically this meant that whatever operation we did to one side of the equation, we had to do to the other.

Then we looked at how to solve one, two and three step equations by using the inverse order of operations.

In some questions, we have algebraic terms on both sides of the equation. To solve these, we need to get all the algebraic terms on one side and all the numbers on the other. Then we can solve the equation as usual.

#### Example

Solve the following equation: $2\left(2x+5\right)=3\left(x+5\right)$2(2x+5)=3(x+5).

ThinkIn order to get $x$x on its own, we will need to expand the brackets and then collect the $x$x terms on one side of the equation.

DoFirst we are going to expand the brackets:

$4x+10=3x+15$4x+10=3x+15

Then we are going to move the algebraic terms to one side and numbers to the other using subtraction:

 $4x+10$4x+10 $=$= $3x+15$3x+15 (subtract $3x$3x from both sides) $x+10$x+10 $=$= $15$15 (subtract $10$10 from both sides) $x$x $=$= $5$5

## Problem solving with equations

Once you are able to group pronumerals and solve equations, you can use these skills to solve word problems.

#### Example

Sally and Eileen do some fundraising for their sports team. Together they raised $\$600$$600. If Sally raised \272$$272 more than Eileen, and Eileen raised $\$p$$p: a) Write an equation in terms of pp that represents the relationship between the different amounts and solve for pp. Think: How can we write this information algebraically? If Eileen raised \p$$p, then the amount that Sally raised would be $\$p+272$$p+272 Do: We know the total amount fundraised, and also know the expression for how much each person fundraised. We can write this as an equation.  p+p+272p+p+272 == 600600 2p+2722p+272 == 600600 2p2p == 328328 pp == 164164 In other words, Eileen raised \164$$164.

b) Then calculate how much Sally raised.

Think: We can substitute in the value of $p$p that we found in part (a) to find out how much Sally raised.

Do:

 $p+272$p+272 $=$= $164+272$164+272 $=$= $\$436$$436 Sally raised \436$$436.

Check: $436+164=\$600$436+164=$600

#### Examples

##### Question 1

Solve the following equation:

$4x+24=x+15$4x+24=x+15

##### Question 2

Solve the following equation for $r$r:

$12r+8=116-6r$12r+8=1166r

##### Question 3

Solve the following equation: $2\left(2x+5\right)=3\left(x+5\right)$2(2x+5)=3(x+5)

### Outcomes

#### NA6-5

Form and solve linear equations and inequations, quadratic and simple exponential equations, and simultaneous equations with two unknowns

#### 91027

Apply algebraic procedures in solving problems