Lesson 3

Linear equations
1. Solving linear equations

To solve a linear equation is to find the value of X or the variable in the question, or to find the solution
of the equation. Your objective is to separate the variable on one side, and numbers on the other side.

- Remember, to add or subtract fractions, they must have the same denominator.
- To multiply fractions , they don’t have to have same denominators.

How do I add fractions? How do I multiply fractions?

2 5 2 5
+ =¿ × =¿
3 6 3 6

1.1. Number of solutions of a linear equation

The equation ends up with one variable on one side, and a constant on the other side.

One Example: 2 ( x+3 )=8 (÷ 2)

Solution
x +3=4 ( - 3)

x=1

Infinite The equation ends up with no variables, but same constants on both sides.
Solutions
Example: 2 ( 2 x +3 ) +1=4 x +7
Or
4 x+ 6+1=4 x+ 7
All Real
numbers 0=0

The equation ends up with no variables, but different constants on both sides.

No Example: 2 ( 2 x +3 ) =4 x +7
Solution
4 x+ 6=4 x+ 7

6=7
2. Types of Slope in linear equations

2.1. Ways to calculate slope

A) Using two given points

 y 2− y 1
m=
x 2−x 1
Example:

What is the slope of the line passing through the points( 1,-2) and ( 6,3) ?

3− (−2 ) 5
m= = =1 B) Using two points from a graph ( Rise / Run )
6−1 5

Rise y 2− y 1 1−(−2 ) −3
m= = =
Run x2− x1 1−5 4

C) Slope from different types of equations

y=mx+b Slope=m y−intercept =b y=3 x−5 m=3 b=−5

Slope intercept form

3 x−2 y=10
Standard form ax +by =c −a −3 3
Slope= Slope= =
b −2 2

y− y 1=m(x−x 1) Slope=m y−5=3 ( x−2 )

Point slope form Slope=3

x=a
Vertical line Slope=undefined x=3

Horizontal line y=b Slope=zero y=2

3. Relationship between two lines

3.1. Slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines

Parallel lines have same slopes

Perpendicular lines have negative reciprocal slopes
Examples:

What is the slope of the line that is:

1) parallel to the line y = 2x + 2 2) Parallel to the line 6x – 2 y + 8

3) Perpendicular to the line y = 2x + 2 4) Perpendicular to the line 6x – 2y = 8

4. Writing linear equations using two points

4.1. In slope intercept form

Write an equation in slope intercept form of a line that passes through the two points ( 2 , 4 ) and ( 3 , 10 )

Solution

y 2− y 1 10−4 6
Step 1: Calculate the slope m= = = =6
x 2−x 1 3−2 1

Step 2: Choose only 1 point from the two given points, then replace x, y, and m in slope - intercept form

y=mx+b

Choose the point ( 2 , 4 )∧slope=6

 4 = 6 (2) + b

4 = 12 + b

b = -8

Step 3: Rewrite the equation by replacing m and b

y=mx+b

m = 6 and b = -8

y=6 x −8

Your turn !  - Write an equation in slope intercept form of a line passes through (1,2) and (3,3).

4.2. In standard form

Write an equation in standard form of a line that passes through the two points ( 3 , 4 ) and (−1 ,−4 )

Solution

Step 1: Write the equation first in slope intercept form using the same procedure in the previous page.

This gives ….. y=2 x−2

Step 2: Set the x and y on one side, and the constant on the other side

This gives ….. −2 x+ y=−2

4.3. In point slope form

 Write an equation in standard form of a line that passes through the two points ( 3 , 4 ) and (−1 ,−4 )

Solution

y 2− y 1 −4−4
Step 1: Calculate the slope m= = =2
x 2−x 1 −1−3

Step 2: Choose only 1 point from the two given points, then replace x1, y1, and m in point - slope form

y− y 1=m(x−x 1) Choose ( 3 , 4 )∧m=2

y−4=2(x−3) 4. x and y intercepts

Question:
 What is the slope, x-intercept, and y-intercept for the equation: 6x ─ 3y = 12

Solution

Practice
Questions

5.

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3. 7.
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Real ACT Questions

1. 5.

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33. 38.

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