LINEAR EQUATIONS IN ONE UNKNOWN The concept of equation is one of the most important concept in Mathematics Through equation, we will be able to formulate formulas by finding the value or values of the unknown quantity or quantities. In this chapter we will be able to establish the relationships between some variables in other fields of science, engineering, business, economics and day-to- day activity of our life. 6.1 THE EQUATION Equation is the statement that two algebraic expressions are equal. These two algebraic expressions are sides or members of the equation. The statement may also be true for some values or to all possible values of the variables. Below are the examples of equations: 1. (x? —4) = (x+2)(x-2) N 2x? -2=(x-3) Gx+3) 3. 2x-3=5x-7 : 4, 2x+5=3x-3 x? -x-12=0 Equation which is true for all possible values of the unknown quantity or quantities is n as identity. Equations 1 and 2 above are examples of identity because any value substituted o the variable x will make the statement true. Consider example 1. If we let x = 0, then we have 22.4 = (2+2)(2-2) 00. x with any value will always result to statement that is true sinceWhen an equation is true for conditional equation, Exampl 2, the statement that the equati, e234 Some permissible values of the unknown is referred to is silt and 5 are considered as conditional equations. In example Ml only be true if the value of x are 7 or -I, thus, 2(7)"-2 = (7-3)[3(7)+3] 1. 2. 2(49)-2 = 4(21+3) Princes bene Lol i] 98-2 = 4(24) aoe ted 96 = 96 Re When x = 4 (4-1%=(4-1) (4-1) 3? = (3)(3) D9) Other permissible values of x shall not make the statement true. Therefore, when x = 0, we have 2(0)°-2 = (0-3)[3(0)+3] 2(0) -2 = -3 (0 +3) 24-9 In general, an equation that has one or more unknown quantities is called variables of the equation. One of the goals of manipulating algebraic expressions in an equation is to be able to determine the value that shall satisfy the equation. If the conditional equation nown, then any number that will satisfy the equation is called to as the ence, in example 2, the roots of the equation are 7 or —1 because substituted will make the statement true. Can you find now6.2 RULES INVOLVING EQUATION We often encounter two or known as equivalent equations, L; #1, EQN #2, and EQN #3 more equations that have exactly the same solution. These are €t us analyze the following equations, which we will call EQN 3x-3=0 EQN #1 3x=3 EQN#2 x= 1 EQN#3 The equations above are equivalent equations because each has a root equal to 1 There are some operations wl : hich when we used in a given equation will result to an equivalent equation. These operations are stated as rules. RULE If a number of expressions are added to both sides of the equation, then the resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation. In symbols, if a = b, then for any value of c, we have atc=btce RULE 2 Ifa number is subtracted from both sides of the equation, then the resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation. In symbols, if a = b, then for any value c, we have a-c=b-c RULE 3 If a number is multiplied to both sides of the equation, then the resulting equation is equivalent to the original equation. In symbols, if a= b, then for any value of c, we have axc=bxe “ | RULE4 If a number or expression is divided to both sides of the equation, then the resulting equ is equivalent to the original equation provided the number is not equal to zero. if a=b, then for any value c, we haveEXAMPLE 1. Let us consider equation 2x” + 3x +1 = 0. If the value -1 is added to both sides of the equation, then we have x2 +3x +1=0 EQN 1 x? +3x+1-1=-1 2x°+3x=-1 EQN2 IfEQN 2 is divided by 2, then pope 2 We can see that EQN 1, EQN 2, EQN 3 are called as equivalent equations. EQN 2 is derived from EQN | and EQN 3 is derived from EQN 2 by using the rules discussed above. Rule 1 and rule 2 can be simplified applying transposition. We may simply transpose that number or expression to the other side of the equation then change its sign instead of adding to or subtracting a number from both sides of the equation. Transposition is not an operation but a shortcut method of applying rules | and 2. To illustrate, let us have the equation below which we shall call EQN 1. EQN | } and 3x can be transposed to the other side. Then we change the sign, that is, ‘equations since each has a root equal to 4. . 4 ae6.3 FIRST-DEGREE EQUATIONS A first-degree equation that has only one unknown is an equation with only one variable, in which the highest power of that variable is the first power. The first-degree equation is also called a linear equation, This can be expressed in the form ax + b= 0. Where a and b are constants anda 0 Examples: Examples number 1 and 2 are called first-degree equation involving one unknown Examples 3 and 4 are first-degree equations that involve two unknowns while example number 5 has three unknowns. To solve an equation some operations discussed in the preceding sections are performed. The aim is to get the value of the unknown that shall satisfy the equation. The unknown quantity is usually placed on the left-hand side of the equation and the known value to the right hand side TO SOLVE A FIRST-DEGREE EQUATION THAT HAS ONLY ONE UNKNOW! ._ Remove fractions by multiplying both sides by the lowest common denominator (LCD). Remove grouping symbols. Combine like terms on each side of the equation. ® . Ifthe unknown appears on both sides, use addition or subtraction to remove it from one side. . Remove all numbers from the side of the equation that has the unknown. First: Remove the numbers being added or subtracted. : Divide both sides by the coefficient of the unknown.2x+1=5 when we transpose positive I to the right, then we get ax=5-1 2x=4 When both sides are divided by 2, we get Example 2: Given the equation 4x - 3 = 2x + 8, solve for x We can transpose 2x to the left and -3 to the right such that 4x-2x=8+3 2x=11 By dividing both sides by 2, we have x=112 Example 3: Solve for x: 3 (x - 1) = 7 (x-2) We remove the grouping symbols by applying the distributive property, that is, 3x-3=7x-14 transposition, we have5x-20-2x = 1 x -20=1 x= 21 x=7 ww Example 5: Solve the following equation below: (4x - 1) (4x + 1) = 16x? - 3x + 6 Solution: We shall first multiply the expressions on the left hand side of the equation. Thus, 16x? - 1 = 16x" - 3x + 6 Combining like terms and solving for the value of x, we have Sx0 tl6.6 Solving First-Degree Inequalities that have only One unknown The inequality has three parts, that is the /eff hand side, the inequality symbol and the right hand side of the inequality. Below are the examples of inequality: 1 2. ay 4. 3x+4<2x-2 dx > 8x +2 2x-1SK 5(x+1)22(2x-6) From example 1, 3x+4 is the left hand side, < (less than symbol) while 2x-2 is the right hand side of the inequality. Can you tell the left, inequality symbol and right hand side of the inequality in example 2, 3, 4? The inequality symbol may be any of the following < (read as less than) > (ead as greater than) < (read as less than or equal to) > (read as greater than or equal to) In this text we will confine our discussion to enumerated symbols above. A solution of an inequality is a number that, when substituted in place of the variable (letter), makes the inequality a true statement inequality. The solution set of an inequality is the set of all numbers that are solutions of the ‘The sense of an inequality symbol refers to the direction the symbols points. That is, a>b (read as a>b) has the same sense in c> b (read as ¢ greater than b) since they have both the same direction of inequality symbol which is greater than. While, for a< b (read as a less than b) has different sense in c>b (read as c greater than b) since they differ in inequality symbol. Note that a>b is the same as b3 IS+7>5+7 (adding 7 to both sides) 22>12 (sense does not changed) 1.2 using the subtraction rule 10<17 10-6 < 17-6 (subtracting 6 from both sides) 4 -36 (scape changed 1.5 using the division rule (positive divisor) 10>8 ws (dividing both sides by 2) => i sides Tats ling y 5 >4 (sense is not changed) 1.6 using the division rule ( negative divisor) 10>8 10 m > (dividing both sides by 2) =2+3 Example 3: Solve for the solution set of the inequality a Multiplying both sides of the inequality by the LCD = 12, Thus, 3(y+3)<4(y-2)13(1) By +9 3 and plot its solution set on the number line 2x-5 23 2x 2345 2x 28 0 DE Seer{x|-14} © (4,40) () ()x<7} 2 (2,7) (g) {|x <-1} © ¢,-1) (h) {x|x 2-5} © [-5,+0) @ ~~ {x|x is areal number} 2 (-~, +0)6.9 Equations that Have Absolute Value Signs An equation that has an absolute value sign is equivalent to two equations without absolute value signs. Definition of Absolute Value For any algebraic expression N, xifx20 | | It should be noted that |x| can be replaced by either x or —x depending upon whether the value of x >0 or x< 0. In the absence of knowing the value of x, then we must allow for both possibilities. 5 Example 1: Find the absolute value of |x| = 4 Solution: © x=4 or-x=+4 x=4 ee 4 0 ‘ Example 2: Solve [2x+5|=3 Solution: Dash Fory=-4 [2xt5|=3= 22 Example 3: Solve \- 2 and plot its solution on the number line. Solution: Let N be 3 4 Thus, N =2 -N=2 N=-2 3-22 4 3-22 __» 5 5 Z=-71/12=-3.5 z= 13/2=6.5 Thus, the solution set is { TQAB 2}and plotting the solution set to the number line we have, ie 0