Linear Equation

By Muralee.V.
Equality
- Equality = relationship between two quantities of the same value.
Example
a) 4 + 3 = 1 + 6
b) If a = b, then b = a
c) If a = b and b = c, then a = c
- The = symbol is read as is equal to.
- The symbol is read as is not equal to.
Linear equation in one unknown
- A linear algebraic term
Has no exponents or powers (for example, 32 ) and only one unknown to the
power of one.
Has no variables that multiply or divide each other
For example: "x" times "y" or xy; "x" divided by "y" or x/y
Linear term
4x
4
m
5

- 7y

Non-linear term
x2
6xy
m
n

Example 1
State whether each of the following is a linear term or non-linear term.
a) 4n2
b)

7
m
9

c) 6ab
4x

d) 5 y

Solution
a) 4n2
= non-linear term because unknown(n) has power of two
b)

7
m
9

= linear term

c) 6ab

= non-linear term because has multiplication of two unknown (ab)

4x
d) 5 y

= non-linear term because has division of two unknown ( y )

A linear algebraic term involves only linear algebraic terms and numbers.

Linear Expressions

Non-linear expressions

x+4

x2

2x + 4

2xy + 4

2x + 4y

2x
4y

Example 2
State whether each of the following is a linear expression or non-linear expression.
a) 3x2 + 5
b)

1
s 4t
3

c) 6mn + 5r
d)

2a
+7
3b

Solution
a) 3x2 + 5
b)

= non-linear expression because has x2

1
s 4t
3

= linear expression

c) 6mn + 5r = non-linear expression because has mn

d)
-

2a
+7
3b

= non-linear expression because has

a
b

A linear equation = equality between two quantities (algebraic terms and numbers
only)
Linear equations

Non-linear equations

s+3=6

s2 4 = 60

5a + 4b = 8

5ab + 4 = 8

6m + 7n = 3 4m

6m
+ 3 = 4m
7n

Example 3
State whether each of the following is a linear equation or non-linear equation.
a) x2 + 1 = 10
b)

2
a 3b = 3 + 4b
7

c) 2xy + 5 = 6
3x

d) 5 y + 7 = 35

Solution
a) x2 + 1
b)

= 10 non-linear equation because has x2

2
a 3b = 3 + 4b linear equation
7

c) 2xy + 5 = 6 non-linear equation because has xy

3x

d) 5 y + 7 = 35 non-linear equation because has y

A linear equation in one unknown = equality that involve numbers and linear
algebraic terms with only one unknown
For example,
4y 2 = y + 7 linear equation in one unknown
Linear term in one unknown
2x + 3 = 5y 3 not a linear equation in one unknown
Linear term in two unknowns

A linear equation can be written based on a statement

For example,
When 45 is subtracted from number x, the difference is 20.
Written in equation: x 45 = 20

Solving Linear Equations in One Unknown

- The process of searching for a numerical value (solution or root) that satisfies the
equation or when replace the variable with it, it makes the equation true.
- Has only one solution.
For example, in equation x + 3 = 20, after solution x = 17
(Check: 17 + 3 = 20)
Therefore, the numerical value 17 is called the solution or root of the equation
x + 3 = 20.
- Involves method of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Example 4
a) Given x 1 = -10, then x =
b) Given y + 7 = -18, then y =
c) Given

x
= 5, then y =
7

d) Given 7y = -63, then y =

Solution
a)
x 1 = -10
x 1 + 1 = -10 + 1 (method of addition)
Add 1 to both sides

x = -9
Check: -9 10 = -10
b)

y + 7 = -18
y + 7 7 = -18 7 (method of subtraction)
Subtract 7 from both sides

y = -25
Check: -25 + 7 = 18
x
=5
7
x 1
7=5
7
1

c)

7 (method of multiplication)

Multiply both sides by 7

x = 35
Check:
d)

35
=5
7

7y

= -63

7y
7

63
(method of division)
7

Divide both sides by 7

Check: 7
-

y = -9
(-9) = -63

Method of shifting also can used in solving linear equations above

For example,
a) x 1
= -10
-1 becomes +1 after shifted from left to right
x = -10 + 1
x = -9
b) y + 7 = -18
+7 becomes -7 after shifted from left to right
y = -18 7
y = -25
c)

d)

x
=5
7

x =5 7
x = 35
7y = -63
y=

63
7

7 becomes 7 after shifted from left to right

7 becomes 7 after shifted from left to

y = -9

-1 becomes +1 after shifted from left to right

Example 5
a) 7x + 3 = 5x + 13
b) Diagram below shows a triangle. Find the value of x
x + 10

2x + 5

Solution
a)

7x + 3 = 5x + 13
7x 5x = 13 3
2x = 10
x=

10
2

=5
Check: 7(5) + 3 = 5(5) + 13
38 = 38
b)

x + 10 + 2x + 5 = 180
3x + 15 = 180
3x = 180 15
3x = 165
x=

165
3

= 55
Check:
55 + 10 + 2(55) + 5 = 180
55 + 10 + 110 + 5 = 180
180 = 180
Test yourself
1. Solve 3(1 2x) (4x + 1) = 13 x
2.
3x - 8

+2
Thexdiagram
above shows a square. Find
a) The value of x
b) From the value that got from a), find its area.