Linear equations 1

Linear Equations

• To solve a linear equation you need to get the letter on its own on one side
• It is really important to write your working neatly when you are solving equations
  • 5x + 3 = 18
  • -3
  • 5x = 15
  • /5
  • x=3
  • Every line of working should have an equals sign in it
  • Start a new line for each step, do one operation at a time
  • Write down the operation you are carrying out, remember to do the same thing to both sides of the equation
  • Line up the equals signs

Letter on both sides

• To solve an equation you have to get the letter on its own on one side of the equations
• Start by collecting like terms so that all the letters are together
  • 2 - 2x = 26 + 4x
  • +2x
  • 2 = 26 + 6x
  • -26
  • -24 = 6x
  • /6
  • -4 = x

Equations with brackets

• Always start by multiplying out the brackets then collecting like terms
  • 19 = 8 - 2(5 - 3y)
  • 19 = 8 - 10 + 6y
  • +2
  • 21 = 6y
  • 21/6 = y

Examiners report

• Don’t use a trial and improvement method to solve an equation
• You probably won’t find the correct answer, and you can’t get any method marks