Equations and Inequalities

Equations are a mathematical statement that shows equality between two expressions. The equality is denoted by an equals "=" sign. We often use equations to solve for an unknown variable.

We solve for unknown variables in equations by isolating the variable on one side of the equation with all the known terms or constants on the other side. This can be done by adding, subtracting, multiplying, and/or dividing both sides of the equation by a fixed value.

Our first step to approaching this problem is to isolate x. We can do this by first isolating 3x by subtracting both sides of the equation by 1. This way the 1 and -1 will cancel each other out, leaving us with only 3x on the left side.

We have 3x + 1 = 7

--> 3x + 1 - 1 = 7 - 1

--> 3x + 0 = 6

--> 3x = 6

Next we divide both sides of the equation by 3 to isolate x. After dividing, we have solved for x.

We have 3x = 6

--> 3x/3 = 6/3

--> 1x = 2

--> x = 2

We approach this problem the same way as the previous example, except we have a few more terms to move around. This time, we will add 6 to both sides of the equation to the -6 and 6 on the left side will cancel out.

We have 5x - 6 = 4x - 7

--> 5x - 6 + 6 = 4x - 7 + 6

--> 5x + 0 = 4x - 1

--> 5x = 4x - 1

Next, we subtract 4x from both sides of the equation to isolate x on the left side. We will have solved for x.

We have 5x = 4x - 1

--> 5x - 4x = 4x - 4x - 1

--> x = 0 - 1

--> x = -1

An algebraic inequality is a non-equal relation between two expressions. We manipulate terms similar to how we solve algebraic equations, but the answer gives us a range of values that satisfy the inequality.

However, when multiplying or dividing an inequality by a negative value on both sides, we must flip the sign of the inequality. "<" becomes ">", "<=" becomes ">=", and vice versa.

We can solve this inequality the same way we solve equations. We first isolate 2x by adding 14 to both sides of the inequality. -14 and 14 will cancel out, leaving us with an inequality between 2x and a constant.

We have 2x - 14 >= 6

--> 2x - 14 + 14 >= 6 + 14

--> 2x + 0 >= 20

--> 2x >= 20

We then divide both sides with two, leaving x with a coefficient of 1, which means we have solved the inequality.

We have 2x >= 20

--> 2x/2 >= 20/2

--> 1x >= 10

--> x >= 10

We can see that the final inequality represents a range of values of x which makes the original equation true. Out unknown, x, can be any real number greater than or equal to 10.

Let's first start by subtracting 4 from both sides of the inequality.

We have -13x + 4 < 7x - 9

--> -13x + 4 - 4 < 7x - 9 - 4

--> -13x + 0 < 7x - 13

--> -13x < 7x - 13

We can then isolate x with a coefficient by subtracting 7x from both sides of the inequality.

We have -13x < 7x - 13

--> -13x - 7x < 7x - 13 - 7x

--> -20x < 0 - 13

--> -20x < -13

Now we can divide both sides of the inequality by -20 to isolate x. When dividing by a negative number, we must flip the sign from less than "<" to greater than ">".

We have -20x < -13

--> -20x/-20 < -13/-20

--> 1x > 13/20

--> x > 13/20