Jan 062012
The SAT Exam involves many questions that challenge the student with solving linear equations. The process is simple if you follow some simple rules.
•A linear equation is an equation in which the highest exponent of a variable is 1.
•To solve a linear equation, perform the same arithmetic operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is isolated.
–Example: Solve 4x + 3 = 10.
Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation.
4x + 3 – 3 = 10 – 3 à 4x = 7
Divide both sides of the equation by 4.
4x/4 = 7/4 à x = 7/4
•Note: If the equations contain parentheses, first use the distributive law to remove them.
•Note: If the equation contains fractions, first multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD of the fractions to remove them.