Mathematics 9 Unit 8

Unit 8: Solving Linear Equations (Chapter 8)

Textbook
Section Title Suggested Practice Questions
Section
8.1 Solving Equations: Page 301 #4 – 6, 9, 11 – 17, 19 – 21, 23,
𝑥 𝑎
𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏, 𝑎 = 𝑏, 𝑥 = 𝑏 (*26, 29, 30)
8.2 Solving Equations: Page 311 #5 – 7, 9, 11, 13 – 17, 19, 21,
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐 23, 26, (*30 – 32)
8.3 Solving Equations: Page 318 #5, 6, 8, 10, 12 – 15, 17, 18, 20,
𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑏) = 𝑐 21, (*23, 26 – 28)
8.4 Solving Equations: Page 326 #4, 6, 8, 10, 12 – 15, 17, 19, 21
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 – 23, (*28 – 30)
Unit 8 Review Page 330 #1 – 19
Practice Test page 332 – 333
Unit 8 Test

Vocabulary List:

 Equation

 Variable

 Numerical coefficient

 Constant

 Opposite operation

 Distributive property

105
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.1
Unit 8 Section 1
𝒙 𝒂
Solving Equations: 𝒂𝒙 = 𝒃, = 𝒃, = 𝒃
𝒂 𝒙

Warm-up:

1. Solve for x.
a) 𝑥 + 45 = 91 b) 𝑥 − 38 = 84

𝑥
c) =7 d) 3𝑥 = 18
8

𝑥
e) −2𝑥 = 7 f) = −6
5

2. Solve for the value of each unknown block.

a) b)

Notes:
𝑥 𝑎
When solving equations of the form 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏, 𝑎 = 𝑏, or 𝑥 = 𝑏, we can use a few different
methods.

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Mathematics 9 Unit 8.1
3
Example 1: Solve for x. 2𝑥 = 4

Solving with Diagrams Solving Using Algebra

3
First, represent 4 with a simple diagram. We can solve our equation using an algebraic
method. In this method, we apply the opposite
operation to both sides of the equation in order
to isolate the variable.

3 3
The 4 that is shown represents 2𝑥. To find out 2𝑥 =
4
3
how much one x would be, we will split the
4
into 2 parts.

3
Now that we have split our into two parts, we
4

can see that each x must actually represent

__________ of one whole.

Example 2: Solve each of the following using the algebraic method.

a)
𝑚
= −5
2 b) −1.2𝑦 = −3.96
3

2 4 4
c) 𝑔 = d) 𝑥
= −8
3 5

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Mathematics 9 Unit 8.1
Problem Solve

In this chapter, you will be asked to solve a number of problems involving algebra. When
solving word problems involving algebra, we must follow these four steps:

1) Write a “let” statement. This identifies which variables you will be using and what
it will represent.

2) Write an equation. Using the variable that you identified in step 1, write an
equation that relates it to the information that you are given in the question.

3) Solve the equation. Solve the equation that you created in step 2 using the variable
method that you will be learning in this chapter.

4) Write a solution statement. Once you have found your solution in step 3, you
must present your findings in a written statement.

Example 3: A student scored 19 on a socials quiz which resulted in a grade of 76%. What
was the total number of marks on that quiz?

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Example 4: Brenden is twice as old as Mike. If their ages add to 24, how old is each boy?

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

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Mathematics 9 Unit 8.1
Summary:
1. Determine the solution of each equation.
2 𝑥 6
a) 3 𝑥 = 12 b) 6 = 2 c) =2
𝑥

2. Translate each sentence into an equation, then solve for the number.
a) The sum of a number and three is twelve.

b) The quotient of a number and five is seven.

c) The product of a number and six is twenty-four.

Homework:

109
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.2
Unit 8 Section 2
𝒙
Solving Equations: 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃 = 𝒄, + 𝒃 = 𝒄
𝒂

Warm-up:

1. Solve each equation. Show a check for each solution.

𝑥
a) −4𝑥 = −4.96 b) = 2.1 c)
−5
=3
1
0.7 𝑚

−10 𝑥 1 −14
d) 4𝑚 = e) 2.3
= 7.4 f) =
3 −6 𝑚

2. Solve each problem.

2
a) Eric earned 5 of the profits of the canteen on the weekend. His earnings were $620.
What was the total profit earned in the canteen?

b) Jamal received a 20% discount when he purchased his computer. He paid $920.
What was the regular price of the computer?

110
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.2
Notes:

We can solve these types of equations using two different methods: pictorially and
algebraically.
1 4
Example 1: Solve for x. 2𝑥 + 5 = 5

Solving with a Diagram Solving with Algebra

Let us represent our equation using a diagram. We can solve the same equation using algebra
instead of diagrams. One thing to remember is
that when we are isolating a variable, we
complete our operations in the opposite order
(i.e. we use opposite BEDMAS). Yup! SAMDEB!
(We are still looking to reverse the operations
that we see.)
There are ____________ shaded bars that are 1 4
2𝑥 + =
supposed to represent 2x. To find out how 5 5
much one x would be, we will divide these bars
into two strips: each strip will represent one x!

Each strip that we have created represents

____________ of a whole, therefore each x equals
____________.

Example 2: Solve for the unknown algebraically.

a) 3𝑦 − 5 = 4 b)
𝑝 1
+3=
−7
2 4

4 0.1
c) 5
𝑥 + 11 = 3 d) 𝑤
+ 0.4 = 0.6

111
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.2
Example 3: The cost of a hamburger is $3.50 plus $0.80 per topping. How many topping
are on a burger that costs $8.30?

Summary:
1. Solve each equation. Use each of the following once: an algebraic method, a diagram, and
concrete materials.
𝑚
1
a) 2𝑥 + 4 = 2
1
b) 2.5 + 1.5 = 0.8 c) 4𝑥 − 7 = 29

2. Solve each equation. Then, check your answer.

3 1 𝑛 2 −1
a) 2 4 = 3𝑚 + 2 b) −0.6 + 0.23 = 1.93 c) 4𝑐 + =
3 6

3. When a number is tripled, then increased by 13, the result is 82. Find the number.

4. Jane spent $42 for shoes. This was $14 less than twice what she spent for a blouse. How
much was the blouse?

Homework:

112
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.3
Unit 8 Section 3
Solving Equations: 𝒂(𝒙 + 𝒃) = 𝒄

Warm-up:

1. Solve each equation. Then, check your answer.

𝑥
a)
1
𝑥
1
+3=6
7
b) 3.4 + = 4.5 c) −9.2 = 0.2𝑥 + 2.4
2 1.4

2. Create an equation for each of the following. Solve. Then, check.

a) The sum of two consecutive numbers is 37. What are the numbers?

b) The cost of a banquet at Nick’s Catering is $215 plus $27.50 per person. If the total
cost of a banquet was $2827.50, how many people were invited?

c) Effie and Kirsten live 23.6 km apart. They decided to cycle to the pool at the park,
which is located between their homes. If Kirsten lives 5.2 km closer to the park, how
far did they each cycle?

d) Hyan has saved $300 more than two-thirds of the cost of the down payment on a
car. If he has $1240 saved, how much is the down payment?

113
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.3
Notes:

There are two methods for solving equations of the form 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑏) = 𝑐. For the first
method, you may use the distributive property to remove
The Distributive Property
the parentheses and then isolate the variable. The second
method involves dividing first. 𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐

Example 1: Solve for d. 3(𝑑 + 0.4) = −3.9

Method 1: Using the Distributive Property Method 2: Dividing First

In this method, we will first use the distributive In this method, we will divide both sides of the
properly to remove the parentheses (brackets), equation by the number in front of the
then we will solve the resulting 2-step equation parenthesis (brackets) first, then solve the
the same way that learned in the previous resulting 1-step equation according to
square. previously learned rules.

3(𝑑 + 0.4) = −3.9 3(𝑑 + 0.4) = −3.9

As you can see, both methods will result in the same answer.

Sometimes, you will be asked to solve an equation that involves fractions. When you are
asked to do this, it is often easier to multiply both sides of the equation by the lowest
common denominator first so that you end up working with just integers.

Example 2: Solve for x. The lowest common denominator for

this equation would be _____.
𝑥+3 2
=
4 3

114
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.3
Example 3: Solve for the unknown algebraically.

a) 2(1 − 𝑤) = −10 b)
𝑥+7
=4
3

c)
1
=
3(𝑥−2) d) 4(𝑦 − 3) + 6(𝑦 − 2) = −4
4 7

Example 4: The average of two numbers is 8.4. If one of the numbers is 7.6, what is the
other number?

Summary:
1. Solve and check each of the following.
a) 2(𝑥 − 4) = 12 b) 1.2(𝑥 + 1.3) = 2.4 c)
𝑥+14 1
= 22
4

2. The perimeter of a square is 49.2 cm. The side length of the square is represented by the
expression (𝑥 + 4.1) cm. What is the value of x?

Homework:

115
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4
Unit 8 Section 4
Solving Equations: 𝒂𝒙 = 𝒃 + 𝒄𝒙, 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃 = 𝒄𝒙 + 𝒅, 𝒂(𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄) = 𝒅(𝒆𝒙 + 𝒇)

Warm-up:

1. Show a check for each of the following.

a) 3(𝑥 − 5) = 18 b) 0.2(𝑥 + 3) = 1.4 c)
𝑥+3
=
2
5 3
𝑥=4 𝑥 = 11 1
𝑥=
3

2. Identify the error in each of the following, then write the correct solution.
a) b)
0.4(𝑥 + 2.2) = 5.4 𝑥+3 4
=
0.4𝑥 + 2.2 = 5.4 5 7
0.4𝑥 = 3.2 𝑥+3 4
5( ) =
𝑥 = 8 5 7
4
𝑥+3 =
7
−17
𝑥 =
7

3. Solve and check each of the following.

a) 3(𝑚 + 0.5) = −2.1 b)
3
(𝑥 − 8) = 7
1
c)
𝑥−2
=
−7
4 2 3 18

4. Solve.
a) A fraction has a denominator of 20. The numerator has a value of “x less than the
1
denominator.” If the fraction is equivalent to 4, what is the value of x?

116
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4
b) Two cars leave Calgary at the same time, travelling in opposite directions. Their
average speeds differ by 5 km/h. After 2 h, they are 210 km apart. Find the speed of
each car.

c) A number, plus one-third of itself, plus one-eighth of itself, equals 70. What is the
number?

Notes:

Equations of the form: 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏 + 𝑐𝑥, 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑, and 𝑎(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) = 𝑑(𝑒𝑥 + 𝑓) are

unique compared to the other types of equation that we have solved in this chapter
because they contain a variable on both sides on the equals sign. In these situations, we
must collect all of the variables on one side of the equation, then solve according to
previously learned methods.

Example 1:
In this case, we collect the variables on one
−9.5 + 7𝑔 = 4.6𝑔 side of the equation first, then solve. Please
note that you can collect the variables on
either side of the equation!

117
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4
Example 2:
In this case, we make the equation a little
1 1 2 easier to solve by first multiplying both sides
𝑞= + 𝑞
5 3 3 of the equation by the lowest common
denominator.

Example 3:
1 1 3𝑥+1 3+2𝑥
a) 3
(4𝑥 − 1) = 2 (2𝑥 + 1) b) 4
= 2

1 3 5 7
c) 4
+ 4 (𝑘 − 2) = 4 (𝑘 + 1) − 4

Example 4: Two rectangles have equal perimeters. What are the dimensions of each?

8 − 2.6𝑥
3𝑥 − 4
5 + 2𝑥
1.4𝑥 + 2

118
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4
Summary:
1. Solve and check each of the following.
a) 0.4 = 5.58 − 0.2𝑥 b) 5𝑛 − 6.4 = 3𝑛 + 2.6 c) 5(2𝑥 + 1.2) = 4(𝑥 − 1.5)

2. The length of a rectangular garden is 1m more than three times the garden’s width. If the
perimeter of the garden is 34 m, find its dimensions.

3. The cash register in the school canteen contains 𝑥 quarters and (30 − 𝑥) dimes. If the total
value of the coins is $5.85, how many of each kid of coin are there?

Homework:

119
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4 Review
Unit 8.4 Review

1. Solve and check each of the following.

𝑥 9 2𝑥 𝑥−3
a) − = b) 2
= 10
6 2 3

2. Solve and check each of the following.

1 1 3 1 1 1
a) 𝑥 −1= 𝑥+ b) 𝑥 + 𝑥=𝑥+
2 4 4 4 3 6

3. Solve and check each of the following.

𝑚+1 𝑚−2 1 2
a) = b) 2
𝑛 − 3 = 4 +3𝑛
2 5

120
Mathematics 9 Unit 8.4 Review
4. Solve.
a) An employee mixes peanuts worth $2.80/kg with cashews worth $3.60/kg. She
sells the mixture for $3.12/kg. If she has 75 kg of peanuts, how many kilograms of
cashews does she need?

b) Plane A leaves the airport. One hour later, Plane B leaves the same airport on the
1
same course. It catches up to Plane A in 2 2 h. The average speed of Plane B is
300 km/h faster than Plane A. Find the speed of each plane.

121
Mathematics 9 Unit 8 Summary
Unit 8 Summary
𝑎 𝑥
Solve 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏 Solve 𝑥 = 𝑏 Solve 𝑎 = 𝑏

𝑥
Solve 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐 Solve + 𝑏 = 𝑐 Solve 𝑎(𝑥 + 𝑏) = 𝑐
𝑎

Solve 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏 + 𝑐𝑥 Solve 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 Solve 𝑎(𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐) = 𝑑(𝑒𝑥 + 𝑓)

122