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Linear Equations

What is a linear equation: An equation is a condition on a variable. A variable takes on different values; its value is not fixed. Variables are denoted usually by letter of alphabets, such as x, y , z , l , m , n , p etc. From variables we form expression.

Linear equation in one variable: These are the type of equation which have unique (i.e, only one and one ) solution.

For example: 2 x + 5 = 0 is a linear equation in one variable.

Root of the equation is $\frac{-5}{2}$

Example 1: Convert the following equation in statement form.

x - 5 = 9

Solution :

5 taken from x gives 9

So x = 9 + 5 = 14

Hence, x = 14

For verification of the statement,

x - 5 = 9

14 - 5 = 9

9 = 9 So left hand side value is equal to right hand side value.

Hence the value of x determined is correct .

You can try out some more examples from linear equations worksheets

Linear equation in two variable: An equation which can be put in the form ax+by+c=0, where a, b, and c are real numbers, and a and b are not zero, is called linear equation in two variables.

For example: 3 x + 4 y = 8 which is a equation in two variables.

Summary:

A linear equation in two variable has infinitely many solutions.The graph of every linear equation in two variable is a straight line.

Every point on the graph of a linear equation in two variable is a solution of the linear equation.

An equation of the type y = mx represents a line passing through the origin.

 

How to Solve Linear Equations

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Below are the methods for solving linear equations in one variable:

Method 1: Isolate the variable: In this method we will isolate the variable on one side and number on other sides.

Steps and example for solving equation:

Example 1: solve 2x + 3 =15

Solution 1: Given equation is: 2x + 3 = 15

Step 2: Subtract 3 from both side

2x + 3 - 3 = 15 - 3

2 x =12

Step3: Isolate the variable by dividing 2 to both side

$\frac{2x}{2}$ = $\frac{12}{2}$

x = 6

Solution is 6

Method 2: Graph method for linear equation in two variable.

The graph of every linear equation in two variables is a straight line. Every point on the graph of a linear equation is a two variables is a solution of the linear equation. moreover, every solution of the linear equation is a point on the graph of the linear equation

Example 1: Solve graphically y + 2x =6

Solution 1: Given equation: y + 2x = 6

x

0

1

2

3

-1

-2

y

6

4

2

0

8

10


The graph is given by:

Graphing Linear Equations

The equation have infinitely many solutions.

Solving Linear Equations Examples

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Below are few examples of equations which will help you to understand better how to solve linear equations:

Example of linear equations in one variable:

Example 1: Solve 3n + 7 = 25

Solution1: Given equation is 3n + 7 = 25

Step1: Subtract 7 from both sides

3n + 7 - 7 = 25 - 7

3n = 18

Step 2: Divide both side by 3

$\frac{3n}{3}$ = $\frac{18}{3}$

n = 6

Solution1: n = 6

Example of algebra linear equations in two variables

Example2: Find two different solutions of the equations.

(i) 4x + 3y = 12

(ii) 2x + 5y = 0

Solution 1: Let us take x=0, we get 3y = 12

i.e , y =4, So (0, 4 ) is a solution of the given equation. Similarly, by taking y=0 , we get x = 3, thus , (3, 0) is also a solution.

Two different solutions are (0, 4) and (3, 0)

Solution 2: Let us take x = 0, we get 5y = 0, i.e y = 0.

So (0, 0) is a solution of a given equation.To get another solution, take x = 1, so corresponding value of y is $\frac{-2}{5}$. So (1, $\frac{-2}{5}$) is second solution.

Two different solutions are (0, 0) and (1, $\frac{-2}{5}$).

Linear Equations Word Problems

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Here is an example of linear equations word problems:

Example: The sum of three times a number is and 11 is 32. Find the number.

Let's see how to do linear equations.

Solution: let the unknown number is taken to be x,Then three times the number is 3x and the sum of 3 x and 11 is 32. That is 3 x + 11 = 32

We get an equation 3x + 11 = 32

Now, Subtract 11 from both side

3x + 11 - 11 = 32 - 11

3x = 21

Divide both side by 3

$\frac{3x}{3}$ = $\frac{21}{3}$

x = 7

The required number is 7.

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More topics in  Linear Equations
Standard Form Standard Forms of Linear Function
Linear Equations in One Variable Linear Equation in Two Variables
Graphing Linear Equations Equations Involving Fractions
Solving Equations with Radicals Solving Equations with Decimals
Linear Combination
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