Learning Objectives
- Solve equations using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
- Solve equations that need to be simplified
Be Prepared 8.2
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.
- Simplify:
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.28. - What is the reciprocal of
If you missed this problem, review Example 4.29. - Evaluate when
If you missed this problem, review Example 3.56.
Solve Equations Using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
We introduced the Multiplication and Division Properties of Equality in Solve Equations Using Integers; The Division Property of Equality and Solve Equations with Fractions. We modeled how these properties worked using envelopes and counters and then applied them to solving equations (See Solve Equations Using Integers; The Division Property of Equality). We restate them again here as we prepare to use these properties again.
Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
Division Property of Equality: For all real numbers and if then
Multiplication Property of Equality: For all real numbers if then
When you divide or multiply both sides of an equation by the same quantity, you still have equality.
Let’s review how these properties of equality can be applied in order to solve equations. Remember, the goal is to ‘undo’ the operation on the variable. In the example below the variable is multiplied by so we will divide both sides by to ‘undo’ the multiplication.
Example 8.13
Solve:
Solution
We use the Division Property of Equality to divide both sides by
Divide both sides by 4 to undo the multiplication. | |
Simplify. | |
Check your answer. Let . | |
Since this is a true statement, is a solution to
Try It 8.25
Solve:
Try It 8.26
Solve:
In the previous example, to ‘undo’ multiplication, we divided. How do you think we ‘undo’ division?
Example 8.14
Solve:
Solution
Here is divided by We can multiply both sides by to isolate
Multiply both sides by . | |
Simplify. | |
Check your answer. Let . | |
Try It 8.27
Solve:
Try It 8.28
Solve:
Example 8.15
Solve:
Solution
Remember is equivalent to
Rewrite as . | ||
Divide both sides by . | ||
Check. | ||
Substitute | ||
Simplify. |
In Solve Equations with Fractions, we saw that there are two other ways to solve
We could multiply both sides by
We could take the opposite of both sides.
Try It 8.29
Solve:
Try It 8.30
Solve:
Example 8.16
Solve:
Solution
Since the product of a number and its reciprocal is our strategy will be to isolate by multiplying by the reciprocal of
Multiply by the reciprocal of . | |
Reciprocals multiply to one. | |
Multiply. | |
Check your answer. Let | |
Notice that we could have divided both sides of the equation by to isolate While this would work, multiplying by the reciprocal requires fewer steps.
Try It 8.31
Solve:
Try It 8.32
Solve:
Solve Equations That Need to be Simplified
Many equations start out more complicated than the ones we’ve just solved. First, we need to simplify both sides of the equation as much as possible
Example 8.17
Solve:
Solution
Start by combining like terms to simplify each side.
Combine like terms. | |
Divide both sides by 12 to isolate x. | |
Simplify. | |
Check your answer. Let | |
Try It 8.33
Solve:
Try It 8.34
Solve:
Example 8.18
Solve:
Solution
Simplify each side by combining like terms.
Simplify each side. | |
Divide both sides by 3 to isolate y. | |
Simplify. | |
Check your answer. Let | |
Notice that the variable ended up on the right side of the equal sign when we solved the equation. You may prefer to take one more step to write the solution with the variable on the left side of the equal sign.
Try It 8.35
Solve:
Try It 8.36
Solve:
Example 8.19
Solve:
Solution
Remember—always simplify each side first.
Distribute. | |
Simplify. | |
Divide both sides by -3 to isolate n. | |
Check your answer. Let . | |
Try It 8.37
Solve:
Try It 8.38
Solve:
Links To Literacy
Media
Section 8.2 Exercises
Practice Makes Perfect
Solve Equations Using the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality
In the following exercises, solve each equation for the variable using the Division Property of Equality and check the solution.
In the following exercises, solve each equation for the variable using the Multiplication Property of Equality and check the solution.
Solve Equations That Need to be Simplified
In the following exercises, solve the equation.
Everyday Math
Balloons Ramona bought balloons for a party. She wants to make equal bunches. Find the number of balloons in each bunch, by solving the equation
Teaching Connie’s kindergarten class has children. She wants them to get into equal groups. Find the number of children in each group, by solving the equation
Ticket price Daria paid for children’s tickets at the ice skating rink. Find the price of each ticket, by solving the equation
Unit price Nishant paid for a pack of juice bottles. Find the price of each bottle, by solving the equation
Fuel economy Tania’s SUV gets half as many miles per gallon (mpg) as her husband’s hybrid car. The SUV gets Find the miles per gallons, of the hybrid car, by solving the equation
Fabric The drill team used yards of fabric to make flags for one-third of the members. Find how much fabric, they would need to make flags for the whole team by solving the equation
Writing Exercises
Frida started to solve the equation by adding to both sides. Explain why Frida’s method will result in the correct solution.
Self Check
ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ After reviewing this checklist, what will you do to become confident for all objectives?