Chapter 8

Solving simple equations

Solutions to simple equations should always be
8.1 Expressions, equations and checked and this is accomplished by substituting
identities the solution into the original equation. In this case,
LHS = 4(5) = 20 = RHS.
(3x − 5) is an example of an algebraic expression,
whereas 3x − 5 = 1 is an example of an equation (i.e. 2x
it contains an ‘equals’ sign). Problem 2. Solve: =6
5
An equation is simply a statement that two quantities are
9
equal. For example, 1 m = 1000 mm or F = C + 32 or The LHS is a fraction and this can be removed by
5 multiplying both sides of the equation by 5.
y = mx + c.
An identity is a relationship that is true for all val-  
2x
ues of the unknown, whereas an equation is only true Hence, 5 = 5(6)
for particular values of the unknown. For example, 5
3x − 5 = 1 is an equation, since it is only true when
Cancelling gives: 2x = 30
x = 2, whereas 3x ≡ 8x − 5x is an identity since it is
true for all values of x. (Note ‘≡’ means ‘is identical to’). Dividing both sides of the equation by 2 gives:
Simple linear equations (or equations of the first
degree) are those in which an unknown quantity is raised 2x 30
= i.e. x = 15
only to the power 1. 2 2
To ‘solve an equation’ means ‘to find the value of the
unknown’. Problem 3. Solve: a − 5 = 8
Any arithmetic operation may be applied to an equation
as long as the equality of the equation is maintained. Adding 5 to both sides of the equation gives:

a−5+5 = 8+5
8.2 Worked problems on simple i.e. a = 13
equations
The result of the above procedure is to move the ‘−5’
from the LHS of the original equation, across the equals
Problem 1. Solve the equation: 4x = 20
sign, to the RHS, but the sign is changed to +.
4x 20
Dividing each side of the equation by 4 gives: = Problem 4. Solve: x + 3 = 7
4 4
(Note that the same operation has been applied to both
the left-hand side (LHS) and the right-hand side (RHS) Subtracting 3 from both sides of the equation gives:
of the equation so the equality has been maintained).
Cancelling gives: x = 5, which is the solution to the x +3−3 = 7−3
equation. i.e. x=4
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-08-096562-8.00008-0
 62 Engineering Mathematics

The result of the above procedure is to move the ‘+3’ It is often easier, however, to work with positive values
Section 1

from the LHS of the original equation, across the equals where possible.
sign, to the RHS, but the sign is changed to −. Thus a
term can be moved from one side of an equation to the Problem 7. Solve: 3(x − 2) = 9
other as long as a change in sign is made.
Removing the bracket gives: 3x − 6 = 9
Problem 5. Solve: 6x + 1 = 2x + 9
Rearranging gives: 3x = 9 + 6
In such equations the terms containing x are grouped 3x = 15
on one side of the equation and the remaining terms
3x 15
grouped on the other side of the equation. As in =
Problems 3 and 4, changing from one side of an equation 3 3
to the other must be accompanied by a change of sign. i.e. x=5

Thus since 6x + 1 = 2x + 9 Check: LHS = 3(5 − 2) = 3(3) = 9 = RHS

then 6x − 2x = 9 − 1 Hence the solution x = 5 is correct.

4x = 8 Problem 8. Solve:
4x 8 4(2r − 3) − 2(r − 4) = 3(r − 3) − 1
=
4 4
i.e. x=2 Removing brackets gives:

Check: LHS of original equation = 6(2) + 1 = 13 8r − 12 − 2r + 8 = 3r − 9 − 1

RHS of original equation = 2(2) + 9 = 13
Rearranging gives:
Hence the solution x = 2 is correct.
8r − 2r − 3r = −9 − 1 + 12 − 8
Problem 6. Solve: 4 − 3p = 2p − 11
i.e. 3r = −6
In order to keep the p term positive the terms in p are −6
moved to the RHS and the constant terms to the LHS. r= = −2
3
Hence 4 + 11 = 2p + 3p Check:
15 = 5p LHS = 4(−4 − 3) − 2(−2 − 4) = −28 + 12 = −16
15 5p RHS = 3(−2 − 3) − 1 = −15 − 1 = −16
= Hence the solution r = −2 is correct.
5 5
Hence 3 = p or p = 3
Now try the following exercise
Check: LHS = 4 − 3(3) = 4 − 9 = −5
RHS = 2(3) − 11 = 6 − 11 = −5 Exercise 31 Further problems on simple
Hence the solution p = 3 is correct. equations
If, in this example, the unknown quantities had been Solve the following equations:
grouped initially on the LHS instead of the RHS then:
1. 2x + 5 = 7 [1]
−3p − 2p = −11 − 4
2. 8 − 3t = 2 [2]
i.e. −5p = −15
3. 2x − 1 = 5x + 11 [−4]
−5p −15  
= 2
−5 −5 4. 7 − 4p = 2p − 3 1
3
and p = 3, as before