Problem Set: Multi-Step Linear Equations
Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality
In the following exercises, determine whether the given value is a solution to the equation.
Is y=31 a solution of 4y+2=10y?
yes
Is x=43 a solution of 5x+3=9x?
Is u=−21 a solution of 8u−1=6u?
no
Is v=−31 a solution of 9v−2=3v?
In the following exercises, solve each equation.
x+7=12
x = 5
y+5=−6
b+41=43
b=21
a+52=54
p+2.4=−9.3
p = −11.7
m+7.9=11.6
a−3=7
a = 10
m−8=−20
x−31=2
x=37
x−51=4
y−3.8=10
y = 13.8
y−7.2=5
x−15=−42
x = −27
z+5.2=−8.5
q+43=21
q=−41
p−52=32
y−43=53
y=2027
Solve Equations that Need to be Simplified
In the following exercises, solve each equation.
c+3−10=18
m+6−8=15
17
9x+5−8x+14=20
6x+8−5x+16=32
8
−6x−11+7x−5=−16
−8n−17+9n−4=−41
−20
3(y−5)−2y=−7
4(y−2)−3y=−6
2
8(u+1.5)−7u=4.9
5(w+2.2)−4w=9.3
1.7
−5(y−2)+6y=−7+4
−8(x−1)+9x=−3+9
−2
3(5n−1)−14n+9=1−2
2(8m+3)−15m−4=3−5
−4
−(j+2)+2j−1=5
−(k+7)+2k+8=7
6
6a−5(a−2)+9=−11
8c−7(c−3)+4=−16
−41
8(4x+5)−5(6x)−x=53
6(9y−1)−10(5y)−3y=22
28
Translate to an Equation and Solve
In the following exercises, translate to an equation and then solve.
Five more than x is equal to 21.
The sum of x and −5 is 33.
x + (−5) = 33; x = 38
Ten less than m is −14.
Three less than y is −19.
y − 3 = −19; y = −16
The sum of y and −3 is 40.
Eight more than p is equal to 52.
p + 8 = 52; p = 44
The difference of 9x and 8x is 17.
The difference of 5c and 4c is 60.
5c − 4c = 60; 60
The difference of n and 61 is 21.
The difference of f and 31 is 121.
f−31=121;125
The sum of −4n and 5n is −32.
The sum of −9m and 10m is −25.
−9m + 10m = −25; m = −25
Translate and Solve Applications
In the following exercises, translate into an equation and solve.
Pilar drove from home to school and then to her aunt’s house, a total of 18 miles. The distance from Pilar’s house to school is 7 miles. What is the distance from school to her aunt’s house?
Jeff read a total of 54 pages in his English and Psychology textbooks. He read 41 pages in his English textbook. How many pages did he read in his Psychology textbook?
Let p equal the number of pages read in the Psychology book 41 + p = 54. Jeff read pages in his Psychology book.
Pablo’s father is 3 years older than his mother. Pablo’s mother is 42 years old. How old is his father?
Eva’s daughter is 5 years younger than her son. Eva’s son is 12 years old. How old is her daughter?
Let d equal the daughter’s age. d = 12 − 5. Eva’s daughter’s age is 7 years old.
Allie weighs 8 pounds less than her twin sister Lorrie. Allie weighs 124 pounds. How much does Lorrie weigh?
For a family birthday dinner, Celeste bought a turkey that weighed 5 pounds less than the one she bought for Thanksgiving. The birthday dinner turkey weighed 16 pounds. How much did the Thanksgiving turkey weigh?
21 pounds
The nurse reported that Tricia’s daughter had gained 4.2 pounds since her last checkup and now weighs 31.6 pounds. How much did Tricia’s daughter weigh at her last checkup?
Connor’s temperature was 0.7 degrees higher this morning than it had been last night. His temperature this morning was 101.2 degrees. What was his temperature last night?
100.5 degrees
Melissa’s math book cost \text{$22.85} less than her art book cost. Her math book cost \text{$93.75}. How much did her art book cost?
Ron’s paycheck this week was \text{$17.43} less than his paycheck last week. His paycheck this week was \text{$103.76}. How much was Ron’s paycheck last week?
$121.19
Everyday Math
Baking Kelsey needs 32 cup of sugar for the cookie recipe she wants to make. She only has 41 cup of sugar and will borrow the rest from her neighbor. Let s equal the amount of sugar she will borrow. Solve the equation 41+s=32 to find the amount of sugar she should ask to borrow.
Construction Miguel wants to drill a hole for a 85-inch screw. The screw should be 121 inch larger than the hole. Let d equal the size of the hole he should drill. Solve the equation d+121=85 to see what size the hole should be.
d=2413
Writing Exercises
Is −18 a solution to the equation 3x=16−5x? How do you know?
Write a word sentence that translates the equation y−18=41 and then make up an application that uses this equation in its solution.
Answers will vary.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ If most of your checks were:
…confidently. Congratulations! You have achieved the objectives in this section. Reflect on the study skills you used so that you can continue to use them. What did you do to become confident of your ability to do these things? Be specific.
…with some help. This must be addressed quickly because topics you do not master become potholes in your road to success. In math, every topic builds upon previous work. It is important to make sure you have a strong foundation before you move on. Who can you ask for help? Your fellow classmates and instructor are good resources. Is there a place on campus where math tutors are available? Can your study skills be improved?
…no—I don’t get it! This is a warning sign and you must not ignore it. You should get help right away or you will quickly be overwhelmed. See your instructor as soon as you can to discuss your situation. Together you can come up with a plan to get you the help you need.
Solve Equations Using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
Solve Equations Using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
In the following exercises, solve each equation for the variable using the Division Property of Equality and check the solution.
8x=32
7p=63
9
−5c=55
−9x=−27
3
−90=6y
−72=12y
−7
−16p=−64
−8m=−56
7
0.25z=3.25
0.75a=11.25
15
−3x=0
4x=0
0
In the following exercises, solve each equation for the variable using the Multiplication Property of Equality and check the solution.
4x=15
2z=14
28
−20=−5q
−3c=−12
36
9y=−6
6q=−8
−48
−12m=5
−4=−20p
80
32y=18
53r=15
25
−85w=40
24=−43x
−32
−52=101a
−31q=−65
5/2
Solve Equations That Need to be Simplified
In the following exercises, solve the equation.
8a+3a−6a=−17+27
6y−3y+12y=−43+28
y = −1
−9x−9x+2x=50−2
−5m+7m−8m=−6+36
m = −5
100−16=4p−10p−p
−18−7=5t−9t−6t
t=25
87n−43n=9+2
125q+21q=25−3
q = 24
0.25d+0.10d=6−0.75
0.05p−0.01p=2+0.24
p = 56
Everyday Math
Balloons Ramona bought 18 balloons for a party. She wants to make 3 equal bunches. Find the number of balloons in each bunch, b, by solving the equation 3b=18.
Teaching Connie’s kindergarten class has 24 children. She wants them to get into 4 equal groups. Find the number of children in each group, g, by solving the equation 4g=24.
6 children
Ticket price Daria paid \text{$36.25} for 5 children’s tickets at the ice skating rink. Find the price of each ticket, p, by solving the equation 5p=36.25.
Unit price Nishant paid \text{$12.96} for a pack of 12 juice bottles. Find the price of each bottle, b, by solving the equation 12b=12.96.
$1.08
Fuel economy Tania’s SUV gets half as many miles per gallon (mpg) as her husband’s hybrid car. The SUV gets 18 mpg. Find the miles per gallons, m, of the hybrid car, by solving the equation 21m=18.
Fabric The drill team used 14 yards of fabric to make flags for one-third of the members. Find how much fabric, f, they would need to make flags for the whole team by solving the equation 31f=14.
42 yards
Writing Exercises
Frida started to solve the equation −3x=36 by adding 3 to both sides. Explain why Frida’s method will result in the correct solution.
Emiliano thinks x=40 is the solution to the equation 21x=80. Explain why he is wrong.
Answer will vary.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ After reviewing this checklist, what will you do to become confident for all objectives?
Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides
Solve an Equation with Constants on Both Sides
In the following exercises, solve the equation for the variable.
6x−2=40
7x−8=34
6
11w+6=93
14y+7=91
6
3a+8=−46
4m+9=−23
−8
−50=7n−1
−47=6b+1
−8
25=−9y+7
29=−8x−3
−4
−12p−3=15
−14q−15=13
−2
Solve an Equation with Variables on Both Sides
In the following exercises, solve the equation for the variable.
8z=7z−7
9k=8k−11
−11
4x+36=10x
6x+27=9x
9
c=−3c−20
b=−4b−15
−3
5q=44−6q
7z=39−6z
3
3y+21=2y
8x+43=7x
−3/4
−12a−8=−16a
−15r−8=−11r
2
Solve an Equation with Variables and Constants on Both Sides
In the following exercises, solve the equations for the variable.
6x−15=5x+3
4x−17=3x+2
19
26+8d=9d+11
21+6f=7f+14
7
3p−1=5p−33
8q−5=5q−20
−5
4a+5=−a−40
9c+7=−2c−37
−4
8y−30=−2y+30
12x−17=−3x+13
2
2z−4=23−z
3y−4=12−y
4
45c−3=41c−16
34m−7=31m−13
6
8−52q=53q+6
11−41a=43a+4
7
34n+9=31n−9
45a+15=43a−5
−40
41y+7=43y−3
53p+2=54p−1
3
14n+8.25=9n+19.60
13z+6.45=8z+23.75
3.46
2.4w−100=0.8w+28
2.7w−80=1.2w+10
60
5.6r+13.1=3.5r+57.2
6.6x−18.9=3.4x+54.7
23
Solve an Equation Using the General Strategy
In the following exercises, solve the linear equation using the general strategy.
5(x+3)=75
4(y+7)=64
9
8=4(x−3)
9=3(x−3)
6
20(y−8)=−60
14(y−6)=−42
3
−4(2n+1)=16
−7(3n+4)=14
−2
3(10+5r)=0
8(3+3p)=0
−1
32(9c−3)=22
53(10x−5)=27
5
5(1.2u−4.8)=−12
4(2.5v−0.6)=7.6
0.52
0.2(30n+50)=28
0.5(16m+34)=−15
0.25
−(w−6)=24
−(t−8)=17
−9
9(3a+5)+9=54
8(6b−7)+23=63
2
10+3(z+4)=19
13+2(m−4)=17
6
7+5(4−q)=12
−9+6(5−k)=12
3/2
15−(3r+8)=28
18−(9r+7)=−16
3
11−4(y−8)=43
18−2(y−3)=32
−4
9(p−1)=6(2p−1)
3(4n−1)−2=8n+3
2
9(2m−3)−8=4m+7
5(x−4)−4x=14
34
8(x−4)−7x=14
5+6(3s−5)=−3+2(8s−1)
10
−12+8(x−5)=−4+3(5x−2)
4(x−1)−8=6(3x−2)−7
2
7(2x−5)=8(4x−1)−9
Everyday Math
Making a fence Jovani has a fence around the rectangular garden in his backyard. The perimeter of the fence is 150 feet. The length is 15 feet more than the width. Find the width, w, by solving the equation 150=2(w+15)+2w.
30 feet
Concert tickets At a school concert, the total value of tickets sold was \text{$1,506.} Student tickets sold for \text{$6} and adult tickets sold for \text{$9.} The number of adult tickets sold was 5 less than 3 times the number of student tickets. Find the number of student tickets sold, s, by solving the equation 6s+9(3s−5)=1506.
Coins Rhonda has \text{$1.90} in nickels and dimes. The number of dimes is one less than twice the number of nickels. Find the number of nickels, n, by solving the equation 0.05n+0.10(2n−1)=1.90.
8 nickels
Fencing Micah has 74 feet of fencing to make a rectangular dog pen in his yard. He wants the length to be 25 feet more than the width. Find the length, L, by solving the equation 2L+2(L−25)=74.
Writing Exercises
When solving an equation with variables on both sides, why is it usually better to choose the side with the larger coefficient as the variable side?
Answers will vary.
Solve the equation 10x+14=−2x+38, explaining all the steps of your solution.
What is the first step you take when solving the equation 3−7(y−4)=38? Explain why this is your first step.
Answers will vary.
Solve the equation 41(8x+20)=3x−4 explaining all the steps of your solution as in the examples in this section.
Using your own words, list the steps in the General Strategy for Solving Linear Equations.
Answers will vary.
Explain why you should simplify both sides of an equation as much as possible before collecting the variable terms to one side and the constant terms to the other side.
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?
Solve Equations with Fraction or Decimal Coefficients
Solve equations with fraction coefficients
In the following exercises, solve the equation by clearing the fractions.
41x−21=−43
x = −1
43x−21=41
65y−32=−23
y = −1
65y−31=−67
21a+83=43
a=43
85b+21=−43
2=31x−21x+32x
x = 4
2=53x−31x+52x
41m−54m+21m=−1
m = 20
65n−41n−21n=−2
x+21=32x−21
x = −3
x+43=21x−45
31w+45=w−41
w=49
23z+31=z−32
21x−41=121x+61
x = 1
21a−41=61a+121
31b+51=52b−53
b = 12
31x+52=51x−52
1=61(12x−6)
x = 1
1=51(15x−10)
41(p−7)=31(p+5)
p = −41
51(q+3)=21(q−3)
21(x+4)=43
x=−25
31(x+5)=65
Solve Equations with Decimal Coefficients
In the following exercises, solve the equation by clearing the decimals.
0.6y+3=9
y = 10
0.4y−4=2
3.6j−2=5.2
j = 2
2.1k+3=7.2
0.4x+0.6=0.5x−1.2
x = 18
0.7x+0.4=0.6x+2.4
0.23x+1.47=0.37x−1.05
x = 18
0.48x+1.56=0.58x−0.64
0.9x−1.25=0.75x+1.75
x = 20
1.2x−0.91=0.8x+2.29
0.05n+0.10(n+8)=2.15
n = 9
0.05n+0.10(n+7)=3.55
0.10d+0.25(d+5)=4.05
d = 8
0.10d+0.25(d+7)=5.25
0.05(q−5)+0.25q=3.05
q = 11
0.05(q−8)+0.25q=4.10
Everyday Math
Coins Taylor has \text{$2.00} in dimes and pennies. The number of pennies is 2 more than the number of dimes. Solve the equation 0.10d+0.01(d+2)=2 for d, the number of dimes.
d = 18
Stamps Travis bought \text{$9.45} worth of 49-cent stamps and 21-cent stamps. The number of 21-cent stamps was 5 less than the number of 49-cent stamps. Solve the equation 0.49s+0.21(s−5)=9.45 for s, to find the number of 49-cent stamps Travis bought.
Writing Exercises
Explain how to find the least common denominator of 83,61,and32.
Answers will vary.
If an equation has several fractions, how does multiplying both sides by the LCD make it easier to solve?
If an equation has fractions only on one side, why do you have to multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD?
Answers will vary.
In the equation 0.35x+2.1=3.85, what is the LCD? How do you know?
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ Overall, after looking at the checklist, do you think you are well-prepared for the next Chapter? Why or why not?
Chapter Review Exercises
Solve Equations using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality
In the following exercises, determine whether the given number is a solution to the equation.
x+16=31,x=15
yes
w−8=5,w=3
−9n=45,n=54
no
4a=72,a=18
In the following exercises, solve the equation using the Subtraction Property of Equality.
x+7=19
12
y+2=−6
a+31=35
a=34
n+3.6=5.1
In the following exercises, solve the equation using the Addition Property of Equality.
u−7=10
u = 17
x−9=−4
c−113=119
c=1112
p−4.8=14
In the following exercises, solve the equation.
n−12=32
n = 44
y+16=−9
f+32=4
f=310
d−3.9=8.2
y+8−15=−3
y = 4
7x+10−6x+3=5
6(n−1)−5n=−14
n = −8
8(3p+5)−23(p−1)=35
In the following exercises, translate each English sentence into an algebraic equation and then solve it.
The sum of −6 and m is 25.
−6 + m = 25; m = 31
Four less than n is 13.
In the following exercises, translate into an algebraic equation and solve.
Rochelle’s daughter is 11 years old. Her son is 3 years younger. How old is her son?
s = 11 − 3; 8 years old
Tan weighs 146 pounds. Minh weighs 15 pounds more than Tan. How much does Minh weigh?
Peter paid \text{$9.75} to go to the movies, which was \text{$46.25} less than he paid to go to a concert. How much did he pay for the concert?
c − 46.25 = 9.75; $56.00
Elissa earned \text{$152.84} this week, which was \text{$21.65} more than she earned last week. How much did she earn last week?
Solve Equations using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
In the following exercises, solve each equation using the Division Property of Equality.
8x=72
x = 9
13a=−65
0.25p=5.25
p = 21
−y=4
In the following exercises, solve each equation using the Multiplication Property of Equality.
6n=18
n = 108
−10y=30
36=43x
x = 48
85u=1615
In the following exercises, solve each equation.
−18m=−72
m = 4
9c=36
0.45x=6.75
x = 15
1211=32y
5r−3r+9r=35−2
r = 3
24x+8x−11x=−7−14
Solve Equations with Variables and Constants on Both Sides
In the following exercises, solve the equations with constants on both sides.
8p+7=47
p = 5
10w−5=65
3x+19=−47
x = −22
32=−4−9n
In the following exercises, solve the equations with variables on both sides.
7y=6y−13
y = −13
5a+21=2a
k=−6k−35
k = −5
4x−83=3x
In the following exercises, solve the equations with constants and variables on both sides.
12x−9=3x+45
x = 6
5n−20=−7n−80
4u+16=−19−u
u = −7
85c−4=83c+4
In the following exercises, solve each linear equation using the general strategy.
6(x+6)=24
x = −2
9(2p−5)=72
−(s+4)=18
s = −22
8+3(n−9)=17
23−3(y−7)=8
y = 12
31(6m+21)=m−7
8(r−2)=6(r+10)
r = 38
5+7(2−5x)=2(9x+1)−(13x−57)
4(3.5y+0.25)=365
y = 26
0.25(q−8)=0.1(q+7)
Solve Equations with Fraction or Decimal Coefficients
In the following exercises, solve each equation by clearing the fractions.
52n−101=107
n = 2
31x+51x=8
43a−31=21a+65
a=314
21(k+3)=31(k+16)
In the following exercises, solve each equation by clearing the decimals.
0.8x−0.3=0.7x+0.2
x = 5
0.36u+2.55=0.41u+6.8
0.6p−1.9=0.78p+1.7
p = −20
0.10d+0.05(d−4)=2.05
Chapter Practice Test
Determine whether each number is a solution to the equation.
3x+5=23.
ⓐ 6
ⓑ 523
ⓐ yes
ⓑ no
In the following exercises, solve each equation.
n−18=31
9c=144
c = 16
4y−8=16
−8x−15+9x−1=−21
x = −5
−15a=120
32x=6
x = 9
x+3.8=8.2
10y=−5y+60
y = 4
8n+2=6n+12
9m−2−4m+m=42−8
m = 6
−5(2x+1)=45
−(d+9)=23
d = −32
31(6m+21)=m−7
2(6x+5)−8=−22
x = −2
8(3a+5)−7(4a−3)=20−3a
41p+31=21
p=32
0.1d+0.25(d+8)=4.1
Translate and solve: The difference of twice x and 4 is 16.
2x − 4 = 16; x = 10
Samuel paid \text{$25.82} for gas this week, which was \text{$3.47} less than he paid last week. How much did he pay last week?
Practice Makes Perfect
Determine Whether a Decimal is a Solution of an Equation
In the following exercises, determine whether each number is a solution of the given equation.
x−0.8=2.3
ⓐ x=2 ⓑ x=−1.5 ⓒ x=3.1
ⓐ no
ⓑ no
ⓒ yes
y+0.6=−3.4
ⓐ y=−4 ⓑ y=−2.8 ⓒ y=2.6
1.5h=−4.3
ⓐ h=6.45 ⓑ h=−6.45 ⓒ h=−2.1
ⓐ no
ⓑ yes
ⓒ no
0.75k=−3.6
ⓐ k=−0.48 ⓑ k=−4.8 ⓒ k=−2.7
Solve Equations with Decimals
In the following exercises, solve the equation.
y+2.9=5.7
y = 2.8
m+4.6=6.5
f+3.45=2.6
f = −0.85
h+4.37=3.5
a+6.2=−1.7
a = −7.9
b+5.8=−2.3
c+1.15=−3.5
c = −4.65
d+2.35=−4.8
n−2.6=1.8
n = 4.4
p−3.6=1.7
x−0.4=−3.9
x = −3.5
y−0.6=−4.5
j−1.82=−6.5
j = −4.68
k−3.19=−4.6
m−0.25=−1.67
m = −1.42
q−0.47=−1.53
0.5x=3.5
x = 7
0.4p=9.2
−1.7c=8.5
c = −5
−2.9x=5.8
−1.4p=−4.2
p = 3
−2.8m=−8.4
−120=1.5q
q = −80
−75=1.5y
0.24x=4.8
x = 20
0.18n=5.4
−3.4z=−9.18
z = 2.7
−2.7u=−9.72
0.4a=−20
a = −8
0.3b=−9
0.7x=−0.4
x = −0.28
0.8y=−0.7
−5p=−1.65
p = 8.25
−4q=−5.92
−1.2r=−6
r = 7.2
−1.5s=−3
Mixed Practice
In the following exercises, solve the equation. Then check your solution.
x−5=−11
x = −6
−52=x+43
p+8=−2
p = −10
p+32=121
−4.2m=−33.6
m = 8
q+9.5=−14
q+65=121
q=−43
158.6=−d
87m=101
m=354
−6.2j=−3
−32=y+83
y=−2425
s−1.75=−3.2
2011=−f
f=−2011
−3.6b=2.52
−4.2a=3.36
a = −0.8
−9.1n=−63.7
r−1.25=−2.7
r = −1.45
41n=107
−3h=−8
h = 24
y−7.82=−16
Translate to an Equation and Solve
In the following exercises, translate and solve.
The difference of n and 1.9 is 3.4.
n−1.9=3.4;5.3
The difference n and 1.5 is 0.8.
The product of −6.2 and x is −4.96.
−6.2x = −4.96; 0.8
The product of −4.6 and x is −3.22.
The quotient of y and −1.7 is −5.
−1.7y=−5;8.5
The quotient of z and −3.6 is 3.
The sum of n and −7.3 is 2.4.
n + (−7.3) = 2.4; 9.7
The sum of n and −5.1 is 3.8.
Everyday Math
Shawn bought a pair of shoes on sale for $78 . Solve the equation 0.75p=78 to find the original price of the shoes, p.
$104
Mary bought a new refrigerator. The total price including sales tax was \text{$1,350}. Find the retail price, r, of the refrigerator before tax by solving the equation 1.08r=1,350.
Writing Exercises
Think about solving the equation 1.2y=60, but do not actually solve it. Do you think the solution should be greater than 60 or less than 60? Explain your reasoning. Then solve the equation to see if your thinking was correct.
Answers will vary.
Think about solving the equation 0.8x=200, but do not actually solve it. Do you think the solution should be greater than 200 or less than 200? Explain your reasoning. Then solve the equation to see if your thinking was correct.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?
Licenses & Attributions
CC licensed content, Specific attribution
- Prealgebra. Provided by: OpenStax License: CC BY: Attribution. License terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/caa57dab-41c7-455e-bd6f-f443cda5519c@9.757.