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6.2. Linear equations

An equation in which all the variables have exponents equal to one is called a linear equation. The following examples are linear equations:

2x + 3 = 0

4(x + 5) = 7
An equation which is not linear is called non-linear. The following examples are non-linear equations:
27 = 3x2

2x2 + 3x = 7
 _____
√x + 1 = 4
 _
√x = x + 5
A linear equation with one variable can be solved by isolating the variable. That is, to obtain the solution, a linear equation may be transformed into the form:
x = constant
Example, solve 12x - 2 = 9x + 10.
3x - 2 = 10	subtraction of 9x
3x = 12		addition of 2
x = 4		division by 3


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Copyright © 2005, Stephen R. Schmitt