Solving

SolvingEquations with with

Equations
1-5
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Variables on Both Sides

Warm Up
Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

HoltMcDougal
Holt Algebra
McDougal
1 Algebra
Algebra11
 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Warm Up
Simplify.
1. 4x – 10x –6x
2. –7(x – 3) –7x + 21
3. 2x + 3

4. 15 – (x – 2) 17 – x
Solve.
5. 3x + 2 = 8 2

6. 28

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

Objective
Solve equations in one variable that
contain variable terms on both sides.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

Vocabulary
identity

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

To solve an equation with variables on both sides,

use inverse operations to "collect" variable terms
on one side of the equation.

Helpful Hint
Equations are often easier to solve when the
variable has a positive coefficient. Keep this in
mind when deciding on which side to "collect"
variable terms.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 1: Solving Equations with Variables
on Both Sides
Solve 7n – 2 = 5n + 6.

7n – 2 = 5n + 6
To collect the variable terms on one
–5n –5n side, subtract 5n from both sides.
2n – 2 = 6
+2 +2
2n = 8
Since n is multiplied by 2, divide both
sides by 2 to undo the multiplication.
n=4

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 1a

Solve 4b + 2 = 3b.

4b + 2 = 3b
To collect the variable terms on one
–3b –3b side, subtract 3b from both sides.
b+2= 0
–2 –2
b = –2

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 1b

Solve 0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y – 0.3.

0.5 + 0.3y = 0.7y – 0.3 To collect the variable terms

on one side, subtract 0.3y
–0.3y –0.3y
from both sides.
0.5 = 0.4y – 0.3
Since 0.3 is subtracted from
+0.3 + 0.3 0.4y, add 0.3 to both sides
0.8 = 0.4y to undo the subtraction.

Since y is multiplied by 0.4,

divide both sides by 0.4 to
2=y undo the multiplication.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

To solve more complicated

equations, you may need to first
simplify by using the Distributive
Property or combining like terms.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 2: Simplifying Each Side Before
Solving Equations
Solve 4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 5(7 – 2a).
4 – 6a + 4a = –1 –5(7 – 2a) Distribute –5 to the
expression in parentheses.
4 – 6a + 4a = –1 –5(7) –5(–2a)
4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 35 + 10a
4 – 2a = –36 + 10a Combine like terms.
+36 +36 Since –36 is added to 10a,
add 36 to both sides.
40 – 2a = 10a
+ 2a +2a To collect the variable
40 = 12a terms on one side, add
2a to both sides.
Holt McDougal Algebra 1
 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 2 Continued
Solve 4 – 6a + 4a = –1 – 5(7 – 2a).
40 = 12a
Since a is multiplied by 12,
divide both sides by 12.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 2a

Solve .

1
Distribute to the expression in
2
parentheses.

To collect the variable terms on

one side, subtract 1 b from
2
3=b–1 both sides.
+1 +1 Since 1 is subtracted from
b, add 1 to both sides.
4=b

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 2b
Solve 3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x + 2).
3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x + 2) Distribute 2 to the expression
in parentheses.
3x + 15 – 9 = 2(x) + 2(2)
3x + 15 – 9 = 2x + 4
3x + 6 = 2x + 4 Combine like terms.
–2x –2x To collect the variable terms
on one side, subtract 2x
x+6= 4
from both sides.
–6 –6
Since 6 is added to x, subtract
x = –2 6 from both sides to undo
the addition.
Holt McDougal Algebra 1
 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

An identity is an equation that is true

for all values of the variable. An equation
that is an identity has infinitely many
solutions.
Some equations are always false. These
equations have no solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

Identities and False Equations

Identity
When solving an equation, if you get an
WORDS equation that is always true, the original
equation is an identity, and it has
infinitely many solutions.
2+1=2+1
NUMBERS
3=3
2+x=2+x
ALGEBRA –x –x
2=2
Holt McDougal Algebra 1
 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

Identities and False Equations

False Equations
When solving an equation, if you get a
WORDS
false equation, the original equation has
no solutions.
1=1+2
NUMBERS
1=3
x= x+3
ALGEBRA –x –x
0=3
Holt McDougal Algebra 1
 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 3A: Infinitely Many Solutions or No Solutions
Solve 10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x.

10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x
10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x Identify like terms.
11 – 5x = 11 – 5x Combine like terms on the left and the right.
+ 5x + 5x Add 5x to both sides.
11 = 11  True statement.

The equation 10 – 5x + 1 = 7x + 11 – 12x is an

identity. All values of x will make the equation
true. All real numbers are solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 3B: Infinitely Many Solutions or No Solutions
Solve 12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x.

12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x
12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x Identify like terms.
13x – 3 = 13x – 4 Combine like terms on the left and the right.
–13x –13x Subtract 13x from both sides.
–3 = –4 False statement.
The equation 12x – 3 + x = 5x – 4 + 8x is a false
equation. There is no value of x that will make the
equation true. There are no solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 3a
Solve 4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y.

4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y
4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y Identify like terms.

3y + 7 = 3y + 10 Combine like terms on the left and the right.

–3y –3y Subtract 3y from both sides.
7 = 10 False statement.
The equation 4y + 7 – y = 10 + 3y is a false
equation. There is no value of y that will make the
equation true. There are no solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 3b

Solve 2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21.

2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21
2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21 Identify like terms.
3c + 7 = 3c + 7 Combine like terms on the left and the right.
–3c –3c Subtract 3c both sides.
7= 7  True statement.

The equation 2c + 7 + c = –14 + 3c + 21 is an

identity. All values of c will make the equation
true. All real numbers are solutions.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 4: Application
Jon and Sara are planting tulip bulbs. Jon has
planted 60 bulbs and is planting at a rate of 44
bulbs per hour. Sara has planted 96 bulbs and
is planting at a rate of 32 bulbs per hour. In
how many hours will Jon and Sara have planted
the same number of bulbs? How many bulbs
will that be?

Person Bulbs
Jon 60 bulbs plus 44 bulbs per hour
Sara 96 bulbs plus 32 bulbs per hour

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 4: Application Continued

Let b represent bulbs, and write expressions for

the number of bulbs planted.
44 32
the bulbs
60 plus bulbs 96 plus ?
When is same each
bulbs each bulbs
as hour
hour

60 + 44b = 96 + 32b

60 + 44b = 96 + 32b To collect the variable terms

on one side, subtract 32b
– 32b – 32b
from both sides.
60 + 12b = 96

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 4: Application Continued

60 + 12b = 96 Since 60 is added to 12b,

–60 – 60 subtract 60 from both
sides.
12b = 36
Since b is multiplied by 12,
divide both sides by 12 to
undo the multiplication.
b=3

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Example 4: Application Continued

After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will have planted the

same number of bulbs. To find how many bulbs they
will have planted in 3 hours, evaluate either
expression for b = 3:
60 + 44b = 60 + 44(3) = 60 + 132 = 192
96 + 32b = 96 + 32(3) = 96 + 96 = 192
After 3 hours, Jon and Sara will each have planted
192 bulbs.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Check It Out! Example 4
Four times Greg's age, decreased by 3 is equal
to 3 times Greg's age increased by 7. How old is
Greg?

Let g represent Greg's age, and write expressions

for his age.
four three
is times increased
times decreased 7 .
3 equal Greg's by
Greg's by to
age age

4g – 3 = 3g + 7

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides

Check It Out! Example 4 Continued

4g – 3 = 3g + 7 To collect the variable terms

on one side, subtract 3g
–3g –3g
from both sides.
g–3= 7
Since 3 is subtracted from g,
+3 +3
add 3 to both sides.
g= 10

Greg is 10 years old.

Holt McDougal Algebra 1

 Solving Equations with
1-5 Variables on Both Sides
Lesson Quiz
Solve each equation.

1. 7x + 2 = 5x + 8 3 2. 4(2x – 5) = 5x + 4 8

3. 6 – 7(a + 1) = –3(2 – a)

4. 4(3x + 1) – 7x = 6 + 5x – 2 all real numbers

5. 1
6. A painting company charges $250 base plus $16
per hour. Another painting company charges $210
base plus $18 per hour. How long is a job for which
the two companies costs are the same? 20 hours
Holt McDougal Algebra 1