Lesson 1.

Core Focus on
Linear Equations
Solutions to Linear Equations

Warm-Up
Solve each equation for x.
1. 33 = 5(x + 8) + 3

x = 2

2. 2m + 3(m 8) = 1

m=5

3. 3x + 10 = 9x 26

x=6

Lesson 1.7

Solutions to Linear Equations

Determine if a linear equation in one
variable has no solution, one solution or
infinitely many solutions.

Explore!

What Works?

Linear equations can have one solution, no solution, or infinitely many

solutions (meaning any number would make the equation true).

2 x 5 2 x 10

5 x 11 3 x 3

14 3 x 5 2 x 3 x

Step 1 Choose an equation out of the green box above. Solve the equation for x.
What do you notice about the solution? Do you think your equation has one
solution, no solution or infinitely many solutions? Why?
Step 2 Find a partner in the room who solved the same equation as you did in Step 1. Do
you agree on how many solutions your equation has? If not, determine whose
reasoning is better.
Step 3 With your partner, solve another equation from the box. How many solutions do
you think this equation has based on your work? Why?
Step 4 Solve the last equation in the box. There is one of each type (one, no or infinitely
many solutions). Based on your work, decide which equation is each type.
Step 5 How can you tell how many solutions a linear equation has based on your work
solving the equation? Write two or three summary statements about your findings.

Example 1
Solve for x. Describe the number of solutions.

6 x 12 2 x 5 4 x 17
Group like terms.
Move variables to the same
side of the equation.
The ending statement is true
for all values of x, therefore
the equation has infinitely
many solutions.

6x + 12 = 2x 5 + 4x + 17
6x + 12 = 6x + 12
6x
6x a
12 = 12 a

Example 2
Solve for x. Describe the number of solutions.
3 x 4 7 x 5 2 x 1

Group like terms (3x + 7x).

Distribute and simplify.
Move variables to the
same side of the equation.

3x + 4 + 7x = 5(2x + 1)
10x + 4 = 10x + 5
10x
10x a
4 = 5
a
Four does not equal 5 so
there are no values of x that
make this equation true.

The ending statement is false for all values of x, therefore the

equation has no solution.

Example 3
Solve for x. Describe the number of solutions.

8( x 2) 5 6( x 1) 23
Distribute.
Group like terms and simplify.
Move variables to the same
side of the equation.
Subtract 11 from both sides of
the equation.
Divide both sides by 2.

8(x + 2) 5 = 6(x 1) + 23
8x + 16 5 = 6x 6 + 23
8x + 11 = 6x + 17
6x
6x
2x + 11 = 17
11 11
2x = 6a
2
2a
x = 3
a

The ending statement has one solution. The only value that makes
the equation true is x = 3.

Determining the Number of

Solutions to a Linear Equation
A linear equation in one variable has
One solution if, when solved, the variable is equal to
one number.
No solution if, when solved, the equation makes a false
statement (e.g., 4 = 5).
Infinitely many solutions if, when solved, the equation
makes a statement that is true no matter what value of
the variable is tested (e.g., 12x = 12x).

Communication Prompt
What does it mean when an equation has infinitely
many solutions?

Exit Problems
Solve each equation. There may be one solution, no
solutions, or infinitely many solutions.
1. 2x + 6 = 6x 22

x = 7;
one solution

2. 2x + 8 = 2x 3

8 = 3;
no solutions

3. 3(x 4) = x + 2x 12

12 = 12;
infinitely many solutions