Linear Equations: Step-by-Step Learning and Practice
A linear equation is a math statement that says two expressions are equal, and the
highest power of any variable is 1. We use linear equations to solve problems and
model real situations, like tracking time, temperature, or money.
To solve a linear equation:
1. Eliminate any fractions.
2. Collect and combine like terms.
3. Use inverse operations to isolate the variable.
4. Do the same thing to both sides to keep the equation balanced.
Section 1: Identifying Linear Equations
A linear equation is an equation where the variable has the highest power of 1.
Example 1:
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 5 → This is linear.
Example 2:
3𝑥 − 4 = 10 → This is linear.
Example 3:
𝑦 = 7 → This is linear.
Non-examples:
2
𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1 (highest power is 2, not linear)
𝑥
𝑦 = 2 (exponent is a variable, not linear)
Which of these is a linear equation?
a) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 2
2
b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 + 1
𝑥
c) 𝑦 = 2
1
d) 𝑦 = 𝑥
Section 2: Using Inverse Operations
To solve for a variable, use the opposite operation (inverse operation) to “undo”
what has been done to it.
Addition/Subtraction Examples:
● Example 1: 𝑥 + 4 = 9 → Subtract 4 from both sides: 𝑥 = 5
● Example 2: 𝑦 − 6 = 3 → Add 6 to both sides: 𝑦 = 9
● Example 3: 𝑛 + 12 = 20 → Subtract 12 from both sides: 𝑛 = 8
Multiplication/Division Examples:
𝑥
● Example 1: 5
= 7 → Multiply both sides by 5: 𝑥 = 35
● Example 2: 4𝑦 = 16 → Divide both sides by 4: 𝑦 = 4
𝑛
● Example 3: 2
= 10 → Multiply both sides by 2: 𝑛 = 20
What is the inverse operation of multiplication?
a) Addition
b) Subtraction
c) Division
d) Multiplication
Section 3: Steps to Solve Linear Equations
Follow these steps to solve for the variable.
Example 1:
𝑥 + 7 = 12
Subtract 7 from both sides: 𝑥 = 5
Example 2:
5𝑥 = 20
Divide both sides by 5: 𝑥 = 4
Example 3:
𝑦 − 8 = 2
Add 8 to both sides: 𝑦 = 10
Solve 𝑥 − 6 = 13. Show your steps.
Section 4: Solving Equations with Fractions
First, get rid of fractions by multiplying both sides by the denominator.
Example 1:
𝑥
3
= 7
Multiply both sides by 3: 𝑥 = 21
Example 2:
𝑦
4
= 2
Multiply both sides by 4: 𝑦 = 8
Example 3:
𝑛
6
= 5
Multiply both sides by 6: 𝑛 = 30
𝑥
Solve 5
= 9. Show your steps.
Section 5: Translating Word Problems into Equations
Use keywords to build equations:
● "is," "equals" means =
● "sum," "plus," "increased by" means +
● "difference," "minus," "decreased by" means -
● "product," "times" means ×
● "divided by," "per" means ÷
Example 1:
"The sum of a number and 8 is 20."
Equation: 𝑥 + 8 = 20
Example 2:
"Three times a number is 27."
Equation: 3𝑥 = 27
Example 3:
"A number divided by 2 is 6."
𝑥
Equation: 2
= 6
Translate: "Twice a number minus 5 is 9."
Write the equation: _______________
Section 6: Understanding Slope and Y-Intercept
The slope-intercept form is 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑏:
● 𝑚 is the slope
● 𝑏 is the y-intercept
Example 1:
In 𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 3, slope is 4, y-intercept is -3.
Example 2:
In 𝑦 = − 2𝑥 + 7, slope is -2, y-intercept is 7.
Example 3:
In 𝑦 = 5𝑥, slope is 5, y-intercept is 0.
What is the slope and y-intercept in 𝑦 = 7𝑥 − 1?
Slope: ________
Y-intercept: ________
Section 7: Finding Slope from Two Points
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
Slope formula: 𝑚 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
Example 1:
Points: (1, 2) and (5, 10)
10 − 2 8
𝑚 = 5−1
= 4
= 2
Example 2:
Points: (2, 3) and (6, 11)
11 − 3 8
𝑚 = 6−2
= 4
= 2
Example 3:
Points: (0, 0) and (4, 8)
8−0 8
𝑚 = 4−0
= 4
= 2
What is the slope between (3, 7) and (7, 15)?
Section 8: Real-World Linear Equations
Linear equations can model things like cost, distance, or temperature.
Example 1:
If you earn $10 per hour, total pay 𝑃 = 10ℎ, where ℎ his hours worked.
Example 2:
If a taxi ride costs 3 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠 2 per mile, cost 𝐶 = 2𝑚 + 3, where 𝑚 is miles
traveled.
Example 3:
If a movie ticket costs $8 each, total price 𝑇 = 8𝑛, where 𝑛 is the number of
tickets.
Write an equation for the cost 𝐶 if each ticket costs $5 and you buy 𝑡 tickets.
Section 9: Graphs and Slopes
● Positive slope: line goes up (left to right)
● Negative slope: line goes down
● Zero slope: horizontal line
● Undefined slope: vertical line
Example 1:
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 1 is a line with positive slope (goes up).
Example 2:
𝑦 = − 3𝑥 is a line with negative slope (goes down).
Example 3:
𝑦 = 0 is a horizontal line (zero slope).
What kind of line is 𝑥 = 4? (Choose: horizontal, vertical, diagonal) Show a
rough sketch of the graph.
