Solving EquationsQuick Reference

Integer Rules Distributive Property Examples

Addition: 3(x+5) = 3x +15 Multiply the 3 times x and 5.
If the signs are the same, add the numbers
and keep the sign. -2(y 5) = -2y +10 Multiply 2 times y and 5.
If the signs are different, subtract the num-
5(2x 6) = 10x 30 Multiply 5 times 2x and 6.
bers and keep the sign of the number with
the largest absolute value.
Solving Equations Study Guide
1. Does your equation have fractions?
Subtraction: Add the opposite YesMultiply every term (on both sides) by the
KeepChangeChange denominator.
Keep the first number the same. NoGo to Step 2.
Change the subtraction sign to addition.
2. Does your equation involve the distributive property?
Change the sign of the second number to
(Do you see parenthesis?)
its opposite sign. YesRewrite the equation using the distributive
property.
Multiplication and Division: NoGo to Step 3.
If the signs are the same, the answer is 3. On either side, do you have like terms?
positive. YesRewrite the equation with like terms
If the signs are different, the answer is together. Then combine like terms.
negative. (Dont forget to take the sign in front of each
term!)
No Go to Step 4.

4. Do you have variables on both sides of the equation?

Golden Rule for Solving Equations: YesAdd or subtract the terms to get all the
variables on one side and all the constants
on the other side. Then go to step 6.
Whatever You Do To One Side of the NoGo to Step 5.
Equation, You Must Do to the Other
5. At this point, you should have a basic two-step
Side! equation. If not go back and recheck your steps
above.
- Use Addition or Subtraction to remove any
constants from the variable side of the equation.
Combining Like Terms
(Remember the Golden Rule!)

Like terms are two or more terms that contain 6. Use multiplication or division to remove any
the same variable. coefficients form the variable side of the equation.
(Remember the Golden Rule!)
Example: 3x, 8x, 9x are like terms. 7. Check your answer using substitution!
2y, 9y, 10y are like terms.

3x, 3y are NOT like terms Congratulations! You are finished the
because they do problem!
NOT have the
same variable!

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 Graphing EquationsQuick Reference

Slope= rise Graphing Using Slope Intercept

run Form
1. Identify the slope and y-intercept in the
Calculate the slope by choosing two points equation.
on the line. y = 3x -2
Count the rise (how far up or down to get
Slope Y-intercept
to the next point?) This is the numerator.
Count the run (how far left or right to get to 2. Plot the y-intercept on the graph.
the next point?) This is the denominator.
Write the slope as a fraction.

3. From the y-intercept, count the rise and

run for the slope. Plot the second point.

Slope = 3/5

** Read the graph from left to right. If the line is

falling, then the slope is negative. 4. Draw a line through your two points.
If the line is rising, the slope is positive.

**When counting the rise and run, if you count down

or left, then the number is negative. If you count
up or right, the number is positive.

Slope Intercept Form

y = mx +b

Slope Y-intercept

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 Writing EquationsQuick Reference

Slope Intercept Form Writing an Equation Given Two Points

If you are given two points and asked to write
y = mx +b an equation, you will have to find the slope and
the y-intercept!
Slope Y-intercept
Step 1: Find the slope using: y2 y1
x2 x1
If you know the slope (or rate) and the
Step 2: Use the slope (from step 1) and one of
y-intercept (or constant), then you can easily the points to find the y-intercept.
write an equation in slope intercept form.
Step 3: Write your equation using the slope
Example: If you have a slope of 3 and (step 1) and y-intercept (step 2).
y-intercept of -4, the equation can be written as:
y = 3x - 4 Example: Write an equation for the line that
passes through (1,6) (3,-4).
slope y-intercept Step 1: -4 6 = -10 = -5 Slope = -5
31 2

Writing Equations Given Slope and a Step 2: y = mx +b m = -5 (1,6)

Point y = mx + b
6 = -5(1) +b
If you are given slope and a point, then you are 6 = -5 +b Simplify: -5(1)= -5.
given m, x, and y for the equation 6 +5= -5 +5+b Add 5 to BOTH sides.
y = mx + b. 11 = b Simplify (6+5=11).

You must have slope (m) and the y-intercept (b) Y-intercept = 11
in order to write an equation. Step 3: y = -5x+ 11

Step 1: Substitute m, x, y into the equation and Standard Form

solve for b.
Ax + By = C
Step 2: Use m and b to write your equation in
slope intercept form.
The trick with standard form is that A, B, and C
Example: Write an equation for the line that has a must be integers AND A must be a positive
slope of 2 and passes through the point (3,1). integer!

m = 2, x=3 y=1 Examples:

y = mx + b
1 = 2(3) + b Substitute for m, x, and y. -3x + 2y = 9 Incorrect! -3 must be positive
1 = 6 +b Simplify (23 =6) (multiply all terms by -1)
1-6 = 6-6- +b Subtract 6 from both sides.
-5 = b Simplify (1-6= -5) 3x 2y = -9 Correct! A, B, & C are
integers and A is a positive
y = 2x -5 Write your equation. integer.
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 Systems of EquationsQuick Reference
Two linear equations form a system of equations. You can solve a Substitution Method
system of equations using one of three methods: Solve the following system of equations:
x 2y = -10
1. Graphing
y= 3x
2. Substitution Method x 2y = -10 Since we know y = 3x,
substitute 3x for y into
3. Linear Combinations Method x 2(3x) = -10 the first equation.

x 6x = -10 Simplify: Multiply

Graphing Systems of Equations 2(3x) = 6x.

-5x = -10 Simplify: x 6x = -5x

-5x = -10 Solve for x by dividing

-5 -5 both sides by -5.

x= 2 The x coordinate is 2.

y = 3x Since we know that

x = 2, we can
y = 3(2) substitute 2 for x into
y=6 y = 3x.

Solution: (2, 6) The solution!

Linear Combinations (Addition Method)

Solve the following system of equations:
3x+2y = 10
2x +5y = 3

-2(3x + 2y = 10) Create opposite terms.

3(2x + 5y = 3) Im creating opposite x
terms.

-6x 4y = -20 Multiply to create opposite

6x + 15 y = 9 terms. Then add the like
11y = -11 terms.

11y = -11 Solve for y by dividing

The solution to a system of equations is the point of 11 11 both sides by 11.
intersection.
y = -1 The y coordinate is -1
The ordered pair that is the point of intersection
2x + 5y = 3 Substitute -1 for y into one
represents the solution that satisfies BOTH equations. 2x +5(-1) = 3 of the equations.

If two lines are parallel to each other, then there is no 2x 5 = 3 Solve for x!
solution. The lines will never intersect. 2x -5 + 5 = 3 + 5
2x = 8
2 2
If two lines lay one on top of another then there are The solution (4, -1)
infinite solutions. Every point on the line is a solution. x=4

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 InequalitiesQuick Reference
Inequality Symbols Graphing Inequalities in Two
< Less Than Variables
Less Than OR Equal To Graph for: y > -1/2x + 1
> Greater Than 1. Graph y = -1/2x + 1, but dot the line
Greater Than or Equal To since the symbol is >. The points on
the line are not solutions.
2. Pick a point such as (0,0) and
Graphing Inequalities in substitute it into the inequality. (0,0) is
not a solution, therefore, shade the
One Variable side of the line that does not contain
(0,0).

Systems of Inequalities
Graph each inequality as shown above.
ONLY the area that is shaded by BOTH
inequalities is the solution set (orange
section)

Special Rule - Just for Inequalities

Whenever you multiply or divide by a negative number,

you MUST reverse the sign.

Example
-3x < 9

Divide by a -3x < 9

negative 3 -3 -3 Reverse the sign

x > -3
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 FunctionsQuick Reference
Function Notation can be written as: Linear Functions

f(x) = 3x+2 this translates to: f of x equals 3x+2 Function notation can be confusing, but once you can
identify the x and y coordinate, you can think of your
g(x) = 3x-1 this translates to: g of x equals 3x 1 typical ordered pair.

Identifying Functions using the Vertical Line

Test
If a graph represents a function, that graph will only intersect
with a vertical line one time.

When vertical lines

are drawn through
this graph, each
vertical line touches
the graph only one Quadratic Functions
time.
Quadratic Functions will have a squared term
This graph
represents a
function.

A quadratic function will result in a parabola

When vertical when graphed.
lines are drawn
through this
graph, each
vertical line
touches the graph
more than once.

This graph does

not represent a
function.

Evaluating Functions

**If the lead coefficient is positive, then the parabola

will open up. Example: 3x2 + 2x 5 (3 is positive)
**If the lead coefficient is negative, then the parabola
will open down. Example: -2x2 +2x -5 (2 is negative)

Vertex Formula
Given the function: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

Vertex Formula: (The opposite of b

divided by 2 times
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Exponents and MonomialsQuick Reference
Zero Exponents

Multiplying Monomials Example

LAWS of EXPONENTS
Multiplying Powers with the Same Base

Simplifying Monomials Example

Power of a Power Property

Power of a Product Property

Power of Quotient Property

Property: To find the power of a quotient, raise the numerator to
the power, and the denominator to the power. Then divide.

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 PolynomialsQuick Reference
What is a Polynomial? Subtracting Polynomials
You must remember to use Keep Change Change.

What is the Degree of a Polynomial? Multiplying Polynomials

We must use our laws of exponents in order to multiply
polynomials.

Using FOIL
Adding Polynomials
You must remember that you can only add terms that are like terms.

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 FactoringQuick Reference
Finding the GCF Factoring by Grouping

Factoring Using the GCF

You must remember that you can only add terms that are like terms.

Factoring Trinomials

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 Quadratic EquationsQuick Reference
What is a Quadratic Equation? Solving Equations by Factoring

Solving Simple Quadratic Equations

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