8.3 Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Solve an equation with constants on both sides
• Solve an equation with variables on both sides
• Solve an equation with variables and constants on both sides
• Solve equations using a general strategy

Solve an Equation with Constants on Both Sides

You may have noticed that in all the equations we have solved so far, all the variable terms were on only one side of the equation with the constants on the other side. This does not happen all the time—so now we’ll see how to solve equations where the variable terms and/or constant terms are on both sides of the equation.

Our strategy will involve choosing one side of the equation to be the variable side, and the other side of the equation to be the constant side. Then, we will use the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality, step by step, to get all the variable terms together on one side of the equation and the constant terms together on the other side.

By doing this, we will transform the equation that started with variables and constants on both sides into the form ax=b. We already know how to solve equations of this form by using the Division or Multiplication Properties of Equality.

Solve an Equation with Variables on Both Sides

What if there are variables on both sides of the equation? We will start like we did above—choosing a variable side and a constant side, and then use the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality to collect all variables on one side and all constants on the other side. Remember, what you do to the left side of the equation, you must do to the right side too.

Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides

The next example will be the first to have variables and constants on both sides of the equation. As we did before, we’ll collect the variable terms to one side and the constants to the other side.

We’ll summarize the steps we took so you can easily refer to them.

How To

Solve an equation with variables and constants on both sides.

Step 1. Choose one side to be the variable side and then the other will be the constant side.

Step 2. Collect the variable terms to the variable side, using the Addition or Subtraction Property of Equality.

Step 3. Collect the constants to the other side, using the Addition or Subtraction Property of Equality.

Step 4. Make the coefficient of the variable 1, using the Multiplication or Division Property of Equality.

Step 5. Check the solution by substituting it into the original equation.

It is a good idea to make the variable side the one in which the variable has the larger coefficient. This usually makes the arithmetic easier.

To solve an equation with fractions, we still follow the same steps to get the solution.

We follow the same steps when the equation has decimals, too

Solve Equations Using a General Strategy

Each of the first few sections of this chapter has dealt with solving one specific form of a linear equation. It’s time now to lay out an overall strategy that can be used to solve any linear equation. We call this the general strategy. Some equations won’t require all the steps to solve, but many will. Simplifying each side of the equation as much as possible first makes the rest of the steps easier.

How To

Use a general strategy for solving linear equations.

Step 1. Simplify each side of the equation as much as possible. Use the Distributive Property to remove any parentheses. Combine like terms.

Step 2. Collect all the variable terms to one side of the equation. Use the Addition or Subtraction Property of Equality.

Step 3. Collect all the constant terms to the other side of the equation. Use the Addition or Subtraction Property of Equality.

Step 4. Make the coefficient of the variable term to equal to 1. Use the Multiplication or Division Property of Equality. State the solution to the equation.

Step 5. Check the solution. Substitute the solution into the original equation to make sure the result is a true statement.

In many applications, we will have to solve equations with decimals. The same general strategy will work for these equations.

Media

ACCESS ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES

• Solving Multi-Step Equations
• Solve an Equation with Variable Terms on Both Sides
• Solving Multi-Step Equations (L5.4)
• Solve an Equation with Variables and Parentheses on Both Sides

Section 8.3 Exercises

Practice Makes Perfect

Solve an Equation with Constants on Both Sides

In the following exercises, solve the equation for the variable.

Solve an Equation with Variables on Both Sides

In the following exercises, solve the equation for the variable.

Solve an Equation with Variables and Constants on Both Sides

In the following exercises, solve the equations for the variable.

Solve an Equation Using the General Strategy

In the following exercises, solve the linear equation using the general strategy.

Everyday Math

Writing Exercises

Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.

ⓑ What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?