EXPRESSIONS, EQUATIONS, AND INEQUALITIES

Unit Overview
In this unit, you will learn about one of the most important and widely used properties in
algebra, the distributive property. Throughout the unit, you will use this property to
simplify expressions and solve equations and inequalities. The unit will conclude with
graphing inequality solutions.

Distributive Property

One of the most important properties in algebra is the distributive property. This
property ties addition or subtraction together with multiplication. The distributive
property allows you to write expressions in different forms and is given with the
following definition.

Distributive Property

The sum or difference of two numbers multiplied by a number is the sum or difference
of the product of each number and the number used to multiply.

2(3 + 6) = 6 + 12

For any number x, y, and z,

x(y + z) = xy + xz

The expression x(y + z) is read “x times the quantity of y + z”

The Distributive Properties of Multiplication over Addition (01:26)

To rewrite an algebraic expression using the distributive property make sure that you
multiply each term inside the parentheses by the number on the outside. Take a look at
the following examples.

Example #1: 3(m – 8)

= 3(m) – 3(8)

= 3m – 24 *Notice that the m and the 8 were both multiplied by the 3

located on the outside of the parentheses.

This problem is complete because 3m and 24 are not like terms and cannot be
combined.

In any algebraic expression, the numbers and variables are called terms. Therefore, in
the expression 3m – 24 from above, the 3m and the 24 are considered the terms of the
expression. If the terms contain the same variable with the same exponent, they are
considered like terms.

Equations (02:19)

Examples of like terms:

4xy and 2xy 6m and 9m 2x 2 and 5x 2

*Notice in the last example that both x’s have an exponent of 2. This makes them
like terms.

Examples of terms that are not like terms:

4x and 2xy 7m and 10 4x 3 y and 12xy 3

*Notice that the last example does not represent like terms because the exponent
on the x in the first term is 3, whereas the exponent on the y in the second term is
3. If they are going to be like terms, each variable must have the same exponent.

Example #2: 5(2q – 7r – 9)

= 5(2q) – 5(7r) – 5(9)

= 10q – 35r – 45 *Notice that the 2q, the 7r and the 9 were multiplied
by the 5 located on the outside of the parentheses.
 3
Example #3: (12 x + 4 y − 16 z )
4

3 3 3
= (12 x) + (4 y ) − (16 z )
4 4 4
3 3 3 1 3 4
= (12 x) + ( 4 y ) − (16 z ) *Use canceling.
4 4 4
= 9 x + 3 y − 12 z

Stop! Go to Questions #1-5 about this section, then return to continue on to the next
section.
Simplifying Expressions

Expressions are in simplest form when there are no parentheses and no like terms. Like
terms can be combined by adding or subtracting the numbers in front of the variables.
These numbers are called the coefficients of the term and will be referred to as such
throughout the course.

2 2
Example: The coefficient of 4x is 4, mn is and so on.
3 3

Examples of simplifying:

1) 10y – y The coefficient of y is understood to be “1”.

10y – 1y
(10 – 1)y
9y This is in simplest form.

2) 3x + 4 + 8x 3x and 8x are like terms, combine them.

3x + 8x + 4
(3 + 8)x + 4
11x + 4 This is in simplest form.

3) 6(b + 3) + 7b Use the distributive property to eliminate the

parentheses.
6b + 18 + 7b Combine 6b and 7b as they are like terms.
(6 + 7)b + 18
13b + 18

4) 2(x + y) + 3(2x + 3y) Use the distributive property.

2x + 2y + 6x + 9y Rearrange so the x’s and the y’s are beside
each other.
2x + 6x + 2y + 9y Combine like terms.
(2 + 6)x + (2 + 9)y
8x + 11y

5) 6 x + 4 y − 3 x + 12 y Rearrange so the x’s and the y’s are beside

each other.
6 x − 3 x + 4 y + 12 y Combine like terms.
(6 − 3) x + (4 + 12) y
3 x + 16 y

*Notice that when the –6 is distributed over the –2, the result is +12.
 6) 7( x 2 + 2 y ) − 5 x 2 Use the distributive property.
7 x 2 + 14 y − 5x 2 Combine like terms.*
7 x − 5 x + 14 y
2 2

(7 − 5)x 2 + 14 y
2 x 2 + 14 y

*Notice that the exponent (2) did not change. When combining like terms, the
exponent STAYS THE SAME.

7) 2.3s + 5.7 r − 1.1s + 3.6r Combine like terms.

(2.3 − 1.1) s + (5.7 + 3.6)r

1.2 s + 9.3r

Stop! Go to Questions #6-10 about this section, then return to continue on to the
next section.
Solving One-Step Equations

At this point in our unit, we will begin to solve simple equations.

Click here to view a video that will help you understand using
variables and keeping the equations balanced when solving them.

A mathematical sentence such as 374 + x = 795 is called an

equation because it contains an equal sign.

The solution to an equation is the value of the variable that results in a true statement.
The process of finding this solution is called solving the equation which uses opposite
operations in order to isolate the variable. When we say opposite operations, we mean
the opposite of adding is subtracting, the opposite of multiplying is dividing, and visa
versa.

At this point, it should be mentioned that an equation must be balanced. This means that
whatever is done on one side of the equation must also be done on the other side of the
equal sign.

Introduction (03:06)

Let’s take a look at a few examples of solving equations.

Example #1: Solve x + 4 = 17

-Since we want x by itself, we have to perform the opposite of + 4 on both

sides of the equal sign, opposite of +4 is –4.

-Performing opposite operations can be done different ways; below you will
see that this can be done vertically or horizontally; you make the choice.

x + 4 = 17
–4 –4 or x + 4 – 4 = 17 – 4
x + 0 = 13 x + 0 = 13
x = 13 x = 13

-Check the solution by replacing x in the equation with the solution 13.

Check: 13 + 4 = 17
17 = 17

Since this is true, 13 is the correct solution.

 Equations Using Variables--Paris Population (01:32)

n
Example #2: Solve =7
4

-The opposite of dividing by 4 is multiplying by 4, multiply both sides by 4.

n
4   = (7)4
4

4n
= 28 Cancel the 4’s to isolate the variable.
4
n = 28

-Check the solution by replacing n in the equation with the solution 28.

28
Check: =7
4

7=7

Since this is true, 28 is the correct solution.

Example #3: Solve y – 26 = 38

-The opposite of –26 is +26, add 26 to both sides of the equation.

y – 26 = 38
+26 +26
y = 64

-Check the solution by replacing y in the equation with the solution 64.

Check: 64 – 26 = 38
38 = 38

Since this is true, 64 is the correct solution.

 Example #4: Solve 5n = 75

-The opposite of multiplying by 5 is dividing by 5.

5n 75
=
5 5

n = 15

-Check the solution by replacing n in the equation with the solution 15.

Check: 5(15) = 75
75 = 75

Since this is true, 15 is the correct solution.

Example #5: Solve 144 = 9x

-The opposite of multiplying x by 9 is dividing by 9.

144 9 x
=
9 9

16 = x (16 = x, therefore x = 16)

x = 16

-Check the solution by replacing x in the equation with the solution 16.

Check: 144 = 9(16)

144 = 144

Since this is true, 16 is the correct solution.

Stop! Go to Questions #11-17 about this section, then return to continue on to the
next section.
Literal Equations and Formulas

Sometimes, in math and science classes, it is necessary to rewrite an equation or a

formula to highlight another quantity of interest. When given formulas with more than
one variable, we solve for the stated variable.

For example, let's look at Ohm's Law:

V = IR

where V represents volts, I represents amperes, and R represents resistance.

This formula is written with the voltage (V) as the quantity of

interest. If the problems at hand were to find the voltage,
given numerical values for amperes and resistance, then this
formula would be easy to follow and finding the actual voltage
would be a simple substitute and multiply problem.

However, if the quantity of interest was finding amperes (I),

V
then the formula would change to I = .
R

Let's take a look to see how this idea simplifies the work in the long term. We will
continue to use inverse operations to solve for the new quantity when more than one
variable is within the equation.

Example #1: Given the formula d = rt where d represents distance, r represents

rate or speed, and t represents time, solve the formula for t, so that t is the quantity
of interest.

Read the formula to yourself mathematically. How is it read?

Click here to check your answer.

The formula is read d equals r times t.

 Locate the variable. d = r t What variable are you solving for?

Click here to check your answer.

Now ask yourself: “What is being done to this variable that needs undone?”

Click here to check your answer.

The variable t is being multiplied by r.

What is the inverse of multiplication?

Click here to check your answer.

Division

What do we need to do to both sides of the equation to "undo" the multiplication?

Click here to check your answer.

Divide both sides by r.

Now, let's look at the math for our steps.

d = rt

d rt
= Divide both sides by r.
r r

1
d r t
= 1
Cancel the r's.
r r

d 1t
= Simplify
r 1

d 1t
= t Simplify ( = 1t= t )
r 1
We say the 1 is "understood" and just write t.

d d d
=t =( t ,=
therefore, t )
r r r

*Note: When we have just t (or 1t) on one side of the equation, we can say that we
isolated "t." This is a common expression used in algebra.

Solving a literal equation such as this one would be useful in science class if you were
examining the time elapsed for various objects knowing the distance and rate. You
would use the inverse operation one time then plug the values into your newly defined
formula.
 Now let's revisit Ohm's Law.

Example #2: Solve Ohm's Law V = IR for I.

V = IR

V IR
= Divide both sides by R.
R R

1
V IR
= 1
Cancel the R's.
R R

V I
= Simplify
R 1

V I 
= I=
Simplify  I
R 1 

V V V
=I = ( I=
, therefore, I )
R R R

When the literal equation is in this form, finding the amperage (I ) would be a
simple substitute and divide problem.

Stop! Go to Questions #18-21 about this section, then return to continue on to the
next section.
Solving One-Step Inequalities

An inequality is a mathematical sentence that contains one of the following symbols:

< “less than”

> “greater than”

≤ “less than or equal to”

≥ “greater than or equal to”

Inequalities--Bridge Capacity (02:27)

Just like equations, inequalities are solved by using opposite operations. The one
exception is that when multiplying or dividing by a negative number, flip the
inequality sign. We will address this issue in the next unit when we study integers.

Let’s take a look at a few examples of solving inequalities. *Note: it will be easier to
understand the solution set if you write your answer with the variable on the left.
(You will see what this means in example #2.)

Example #1: Solve n – 7 < 22

-The opposite of – 7 is + 7.

n – 7 < 22
+7 +7
n < 29

This solution means that all numbers (n) less than 29 are a solution to the
inequality.

Example #2: Solve 48 ≥ 6y

-The opposite of multiplying by 6 is dividing by 6.

48 6 y
≥
6 6
8≥ y

Rewrite this solution with the variable y on the left. When doing this, make
sure the inequality sign is pointing to the same term as in the original solution
(in this case the y).
 y≤8 *Notice the inequality is still pointing to the variable.

This solution means that all numbers y, that are less than or equal to 8, are a
solution.

z
Example #3: Solve ≤ 22
11

-The opposite of dividing by 11 is multiplying by 11.

z
(11) ≤ 22(11)
11
z ≤ 242

This solution means that all numbers z, that are less than or equal to 242, are a
solution.

Stop! Go to Questions #22-25 about this section, then return to continue on to the
next section.
Graphing Inequality Solutions
The solution set of an inequality can be graphed on a number line in the following
manner:

-If < or >, use an open circle ( ) on the number line because the solution set does not
include the solution (it includes only values less than or more than the solution).

-If ≤ or ≥ use a closed circle ( ) on the number line because the solution set does
include the solution.

Once you have determined if you are going to use an open circle or a closed circle, you
will shade the part of the number line that includes the solution set.

Let’s take a look at a couple of examples:

Example #1: Solve and graph.

m + 3 ≤ 15
–3 –3
m ≤ 12

This solution tells us that all values “less than or equal” to 12 will result in a true
statement. Follow the steps below to graph this inequality solution.

a) Draw a number line and label it with a few numbers.

10 11 12 13 14

b) Determine which circle to use. In this case, ≤ means to use a closed

circle. Place a closed circle on the 12, since this was the solution to the
inequality.

10 11 12 13 14

c) Determine which direction to shade on the number line. In this case,

we want numbers less than 12; so, shade to the left of 12.

10 11 12 13 14
 Inequality on a Number Line--Circus Snacks (02:00)

Example #2: Solve and graph.

8 < 4n

8 4n
<
4 4

2<n *rewrite with the variable on the left

n>2

a) Draw a number line

–1 0 1 2 3

b) Use an open circle around the solution because the inequality is >.

–1 0 1 2 3

c) Shade the number line to the right, as the solution states that all values
greater than 2 will be in the solution.

–1 0 1 2 3

Stop! Go to Questions #26-28 to complete this unit.