Linear Equations

A linear equation is an equation in which each term is either a constant or the product of a constant times the first power of a variable. In simple terms it is a mathematical sentence in which you can see only one letter (which might appear more than once) but there will be no powers (squared, cubed etc). Here is an example of a simple linear equation:

2x + 7 = 15

This equation can be "solved" to find which value is represented by the letter x.

The eQuation Generator above can make up unlimited equations for you to practise solving. You can change the options so that one of five different types of equation is displayed. It is not possible to predict how quickly you will develop confidence solving equations of a particular type but typically the examples will increase in difficulty very slightly each time you press the Next button. A Restart button is provided if the questions generated start to become a little too difficult. This button restarts the difficulty level but will present different equations.

Here are examples showing a good way to solve equations by thinking of the two sides of the equation as two sides of a balance. The equation will remain balanced only if you do the same thing (multiply, divide add or subtract) to both sides.

Type 1

\(3x=12\)
Divide both sides by 3
\(x= 4\)

By doing the same thing to both sides of the equation you can find what one x is equal to.

Self marking exercise

Type 2

\(4x - 3 = 13\)
Add 3 to both sides
\(4x=16\)
Divide both sides by 4
\(x = 4\)

Self marking exercise

Type 3

\(5x + 3 = 3x + 15\)
Subtract 3 from both sides
\(5x = 3x+ 12\)
Subtract 3x from both sides
\(2x= 12\)
Divide both sides by 2
\(x = 6\)

Self marking exercise

Type 4

\(2(3x - 4) + 1 = 5\)
Subtract 1 from both sides
\(2(3x - 4) = 4\)
Divide both sides by 2
\(3x - 4 = 2\)
Add 4 to both sides
\(3x = 6\)
Divide both sides by 3
\(x = 2\)

Another method:

\(2(3x - 4) + 1 = 5\)
First multiply out (expand) the brackets
\(6x - 8 + 1 = 5\)
Collect together like terms
\(6x - 7 = 5\)
Add 7 to both sides
\(6x = 12\)
Divide both sides by 6
\(x = 2\)

Self marking exercise

Type 5

\( \frac{2x+3}{5} + 7 = \frac{3x+12}{3} \)
Multiply both sides by 15 (the lowest common multiple of the denominators)
\(6x+9+105=15x+60\)
Collect together like terms
\(6x+114=15x+60\)
Subtract 60 from both sides
\(6x+54=15x\)
Subtract 6x from both sides
\(54=9x\)
Divide both sides by 9
\(x = 6\)

Self marking exercise

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.

Curriculum Reference