MINDSET LEARN GRADE 10 MATHEMATICS

A Guide to Equations and Inequalities

Teaching Approach

The videos in this series cover the revision of linear equations, equations with fractions and
unknowns in the denominator, quadratic equations, literal equations, simultaneous equations
and word problems. They also cover inequalities.

In the first video on revision of linear equations we remind pupils how to identify linear
equations and work on examples that require basic simplification techniques and fractions. It
is important to remind your learners how to check their solutions by substituting their answer
back into the original equation. Emphasise the importance of substituting into the original
equation. Learners must be careful with their signs when taking terms from one side of the
equation to the other. Remind them that when you divide by a negative the signs, of all terms
will change. Also try the games suggested in the resources sections to remind learners that
Maths can be fun!

When dealing with fractional equations, stress the importance of restrictions and make sure
to include examples in your lesson where a solution cannot be accepted because it is
excluded by the restriction. It may be necessary to revise factorising before the lesson on
factorising denominators.

Make sure pupils know all the different methods to solve simultaneous linear equations;
graphical, substitution and elimination. These methods can be used to solve words problems
too.

Our first video in linear inequalities shows solutions represented in set builder notation and
interval notation but please use interval notation in your examples and tests as this is the
method required by CAPS.

We go over quite a few word problems just to give learners an idea of how to approach
different types of questions as this a section they often struggle with. However there is not
only one way to deal with all word problems and learners may still not be able to solve the
ones in a test etc. Stress to them the importance of practising as many examples as possible
to get better at this section.

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Video Summaries
Some videos have a ‘PAUSE’ moment, at which point the teacher or learner can choose to
pause the video and try to answer the question posed or calculate the answer to the problem
under discussion. Once the video starts again, the answer to the question or the right
answer to the calculation is given.

Mindset suggests a number of ways to use the video lessons. These include:
 Watch or show a lesson as an introduction to a lesson
 Watch of show a lesson after a lesson, as a summary or as a way of adding in some
interesting real-life applications or practical aspects
 Design a worksheet or set of questions about one video lesson. Then ask learners to
watch a video related to the lesson and to complete the worksheet or questions, either in
groups or individually
 Worksheets and questions based on video lessons can be used as short assessments or
exercises
 Ask learners to watch a particular video lesson for homework (in the school library or on
the website, depending on how the material is available) as preparation for the next days
lesson; if desired, learners can be given specific questions to answer in preparation for
the next day’s lesson

Linear Equations
1. Revising Linear Equations
Learners are shown how to identify a linear equation and how to solve simple linear
equations. We also look at solving simple fractional equations and fractions with
unknowns in the denominator.

2. Solving Fractional Equations

We solve fractional equations where the denominator of the fraction has to be factorised,
we also show learners how to work out restrictions and to check their solutions.

3. Literal Equations
Learners are introduced to equations with variables on both sides of the equality sign. We
look at basic linear literal equations and an example involving quadratic literal equations.

Quadratic Equations
1. Quadratic Equations
Standard form of a quadratic expression is introduced and simple quadratic equations
solved.

2. More Challenging Quadratic Equations

A lot of the focus here is on factorising difficult trinomials in order to solve quadratic
equations.

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Simultaneous Equations
1. Introduction to Simultaneous Equations
We identify and define simultaneous equations, find an ordered pair that is a solution to a
system of linear equations in two unknowns.

2. Solving Simultaneous Equations Graphically

Solutions to a system of simultaneous equations are read off from a graph.

3. Solving Simultaneous Equations using Substitution

Linear equations in two variables are solved simultaneously using the substitution
method.

4. Solving Simultaneous Equations by Elimination I

The difference between the substitution method and elimination method is addressed in
this video. We look at examples that can be solved using either the elimination method or
substitution method.

5. Solving Simultaneous Equations by Elimination II

Here we show learners when it is advantageous to use the elimination method.

Linear Inequalities
1. Linear Inequalities on a Number Line
A number line is used to represent a linear inequality you must use interval notation to
represent a linear inequality.

2. Solving Linear Inequalities

Solve simple linear inequalities that involve multiplying or dividing by a negative number.

3. More Linear Inequalities

Solve linear inequalities that have denominators.

Word Problems
1. Dimension and Speed Word Problems
Here we look at a money problem and another basic problem where simultaneous
equations need to be used.

2. Simultaneous Equations Word Problems

Solve word problems that involve digits using simultaneous linear equations.

3. A Digit Problem
This video deals with the commonly tested dimension and speed word problems.

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Resource Material
Resource materials are a list of links available to teachers and learners to enhance their experience of
the subject matter. They are not necessarily CAPS aligned and need to be used with discretion.

Linear Equations
http://www.flashymaths.co.uk/sw This site has a fun and interactive
1 Revising Linear Equations f/equations.swf game for solving linear equations.
http://mathsteaching.files.wordpr Worksheet with fractional
ess.com/2008/02/nasty_equatio equations that you can print out
ns.pdf and use in the classroom.
http://www.mathplayground.com/ Help save the Zogs: Fun game
SaveTheZogs/SaveTheZogs.ht that learners can only succeed at
ml if their linear equations are up to
scratch (can also be used when
teaching linear functions).
http://www.mathportal.org/calcul This website has a calculator that
2 Solving Fractional Equations ators/solving-equations/rational- can be used to solve fractional
equation-solver.php equations it also has maths tests
and worksheets.
http://www.onlinemathlearning.c Videos/worksheets/games on
om/fractional-equations.html solving all types of equations from
grades 0 to 12
http://www.purplemath.com/mod Many examples of literal
3 Literal Equations ules/solvelit.htm equations are shown and
explained.
http://m.everythingmaths.co.za/g Textbook that explains literal
rade-10/02-equations-and- equations and the rest of grade
inequalities/02-equations-and- 10 maths.
inequalities-05.cnxmlplus

Quadratic Equations
http://www.mathsisfun.com/quadr If you have an equation of the
2
1 Quadratic Equations atic-equation-solver.html form "ax + bx + c = 0", this site
can solve the equation and has
worksheets.
http://www.purplemath.com/modul This site shows how quadratic
2 More Challenging Quadratic es/solvquad6.htm equations should be approached.
Equations

Simultaneous Equations
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/reso Site explains simultaneous
1 Introduction to urces/Engineering%20maths%20f equations basics.
Simultaneous Equations irst%20aid%20kit/latexsource%20
and%20diagrams/2_13.pdf
http://www.onlinemathlearning.co Graphical solution of
m/systems-of-equations.html simultaneous equations
explained.
http://www.webmath.com/solver2. This site allows you to solve two
2 Solving Simultaneous html equations with two unknowns by
Equations Graphically putting your question into its
solver.
http://www.purplemath.com/modu Step by step approach to the
3 Solving Simultaneous les/systlin4.htm substitution method is discussed.

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Equations using
Substitution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v A video on solving simultaneous
4 Solving Simultaneous =XM7Q4Oj5OTc equations by elimination.
equations by Elimination I & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v More video examples on solving
II =3ceN1InfyDU&feature=related simultaneous equations by
elimination.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v More video examples on solving
=3ceN1InfyDU&feature=related simultaneous equations by
elimination.
http://www.webmath.com/solver2. This site allows will solve two
html equations with two unknowns by
putting your question into its
solver.

Linear Inequalities
http://www.purplemath.com/modu Step by step approach to linear
1 Linear Inequalities on a les/ineqlin.htm inequalities.
Number Line http://www.regentsprep.org/Rege Interval notation explained.
nts/math/ALGEBRA/AP1/Interval
Not.htm
http://www.mathway.com/problem Linear inequality calculator.
2 Solving Linear Inequalities .aspx?p=prealgebra
http://www.mathworksheets4kids. Maths worksheets including
3 More linear inequalities com/inequalities/solve- inequalities worksheets:
complex.pdf
http://www.mathworksheets4kids.
com/inequalities.html

Word Problems
http://www.mindset.co.za/learn/no Grade 9 revision of word
1 Dimension and Speed Word de/44563/23/55011/13360/55014 problems videos:
Problems http://www.mindset.co.za/learn/no
de/44562/23/55011/13359/55013
http://www.mindset.co.za/learn/no
de/44564/23/55011/13361/55015
http://www.mathstories.com/strate Word problem solving strategies.
2 Simultaneous Equations gies.htm
Word Problems http://www.onlinemathlearning.co Examples on digit problems.
m/digit-problems.html
http://www.onlinemathlearning.co Examples on speed/dist/time in
3 A Digit Problem m/distance-problems.html kilometres.
http://www.purplemath.com/modu Dimension and other quadratic
les/quadprob2.htm word problems.

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Task

Question 1
Solve:
1.1 ( ) ( )( )

1.2

Question 2
Solve for q:

Question 3
Liz and Thandi collect the toys from boxes of breakfast cereal. Liz has 10 toys more than
Thandi has. Altogether they have 54 toys. Calculate how many toys each girl has.

Question 4
Solve for x and y:

Question 5
Solve for x:

Question 6
Convert 131 to if:

HINT: Change the subject of the formula

Question 7
Solve:
7.1
7.2 ( )
7.3

Question 8
Solve for x and y:

Question 9
Solve and write your answer in interval notation:
9.1 ( ) ( )
9.2
9.3

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Question 10
Michelle is paid R55 for everyday she works during the holiday and she must pay her father
R66 for every day she doesn’t work. At the end of 30 days she has R77. For how many days
did she work?

Question 11
The diagonal of a rectangle is 25 cm more than its width. The length of the rectangle is 17
cm more than its width. What are the dimensions of the rectangle?

Question 12
A man runs to the shop and back in 15 minutes. His speed on the way to the shop is 5 km/h
and his speed on the way back is4 km/h. Find the distance to the shop.
HINT: work in km/h

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Task Answers

Question 1
1.1 ( ) ( )( )

1.2

( )
( ) ( )

Question 2

( )
( )( )
( ) ( ) ( )
( )( ) ( )( )
( )

Question 3
Let the number of toys Thandi has = x Then Liz has: x+10
Altogether they have 77 toys therefore: x+x+10=54
2x=44
x=22
So Thandi has 22 toys and Liz has 32 toys.

Question 4
4a) y=10-2x……. (1)
…(2)
Substitute (1) into (2): x+2(10-2x) =8
x+20-4x=8
-3x=-12
and y=10-2(4) =2
Solution (4,2)

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Question 5

( )

Question 6

( )
=

Question 7
7.1
( )( )
x=7 or x=-7

7.2 ( )
( )
√( ) √
w-1 =1 or w-1=-1
w=2 or w=0

( )( )

Question 8
As all the coefficients are different you should use the elimination method to solve these equations.
…….1
……..2

( ) ( ) ( )………(1) 3
( ) ( ) ( ) ………(2) 2
Eqn (1) –(2)

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substitute back into equation 1 and solve for x.

( )

Answer (41;-19)

Question 9
9.1 ( ) ( )

9.2
( )

( )

9.3 -5 < 2x -3 7
-5+3<2x≤7+3
-2<2x≤10
-1<x≤5
(

Question 10
Let the number of days worked =x Then the number of days not worked =30-x (This question could
also be answered using simultaneous equations)
Total pay = 55x-66(30-x)
77=55x-1980+66x
77+1980=121x
2057=121x
x=17
She worked 17 days.

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Question 11
Let the width =x then the diagonal = x+25 and the length = x+17

In a rectangle interior angles equal 90˚ therefore we have a right angled triangle and using
Pythagoras: ( ) ( )

( )( )

The width = 28cm diagonal=53cm and length =45cm

Question 12
It is important to work in km/h so change fifteen minutes to ¼ hour.
Let the time taken to run to the shop =x then the time taken to run back will be ¼ -x
Fill in information in the table.
Speed Distance Time
To shop 5 5x x
Back from shop 4 4(1/4 –x) ¼ -x
D= S T
The distances to the shop and back from the shop are equal.
( )

hr.
The distance to the shop=5(1/9) =5/9km or 0.56km

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Acknowledgements
Mindset Learn Executive Head Dylan Busa
Content Manager Classroom Resources Jenny Lamont
Content Coordinator Classroom Resources Helen Robertson
Content Administrator Agness Munthali
Content Developer Natashia Bearam
Content Reviewer Malindri Eastes

Produced for Mindset Learn by Traffic

Facilities Coordinator Cezanne Scheepers
Production Manager Belinda Renney
Director Belinda Renney
Alriette Gibbs
Editor Nonhlanhla Nxumalo
Belinda Renney
Presenter Lebo Mazibuko
Studio Crew Abram Tjale
James Tselapedi
Graphics Wayne Sanderson

This resource is licensed under a Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 South Africa licence. When using this
resource please attribute Mindset as indicated athttp://www.mindset.co.za/creativecommons

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