Chapter contents
7:02 Solving equations
7:03 Equations with pronumerals on both side
7:04 Equations with grouping symbols
7:06 Solving problems using equations
7:07 Graphing inequations
7:08 Solving inequations
Learning outcomes
Students will be able techniques to solve linear equations and simple inequalities.
Explanation
- an open mathematical sentence where the “equal” sign is replaced by an inequality sign
- The signs are:
Solving equations
- Solving equations is like balancing scales
- With equations, we know that one side is equal to the other
- The solution of the equation therefore is the value of the pronumeral that ‘balances’ the equation
- Often, solving an equation requires us to change the equation into a simpler one. We can do this by adding (+), subtracting ( – ), multiplying (×) or dividing ( ÷ ) both sides of the equation by the same number
- Look at the solutions of these two equations, nothing that both sides remain balanced because the same operation is done to both sides
Let’s do some exercises
- x + 2=4
-2 -2
x=4-2
x=2
2.

-2 -2

×4 ×4


Equations with pronumerals on both side
To solve these equations we have to add or subtract pronumerals as well as numerals.
Let’s do some exercises
- 3x+1=x+5
-x -x
2x+1=5
-1 -1
2x=4
x=2
2. 6m-1=15-2m
+2m +2m
8m-1=15
+1 +1
8m=16
m=2
Equations with grouping symbols
We need to expand the grouping symbol.
Let’s do some exercises
- 2(x+3)=4
2x+6=4
-6 -6
2x=-2
x=-1
2. 3(a+2)=2(a+1)
3a+6=2a+2
-2a -2a
a+6=2
-6 -6
a=-4
Solving problems using equations
The main use of equations is to help us solve problems. Follow the steps bellow to do it:
Let’s do some exercises
- The sum of a certain number and 7 is 52. What is the number?
Let’s say the number is n
n+7=52
-7 -7
n=45
2. The product of a certain number and 7 is 63. What is the number?
Let’s say the number is a
7a=63
a=9
Graphing inequations
Inequations usually have more than one solution.
Let’s do some exercises
- Graph the inequation
x+3<6
x<3
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2. Write an inequation to describe the graph
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m<28
Solving inequations
Let’s do some exercises
- 7x>14
÷7 ÷7
x>2
2. x-14 >18
+14 +14
x>32
So that’s all that I can tell you about Chapter 7: equations, formulae and inequations. Thank you for reading.
References: Mcseveny, A., Conway, R., Wilkes, S., & Smith, M. (2007). International Mathematics 2 for the Middle Years. In A. Mcseveny, R. Conway, S. Wilkes, & M. Smith, International Mathematics 2 for the Middle Years (pp. 152-172). Pearson Australia.

























