Solve Equations with Decimalsm81300Solve Equations with DecimalsBy the end of this section, you will be able to:Determine whether a decimal is a solution of an equationSolve equations with decimalsTranslate to an equation and solve9fe35e21-25d0-4ce5-9906-fb7f3d5a05b4Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.Evaluate x+23whenx=−14.
If you missed this problem, review .512Evaluate 15−y when y=−5.
If you missed this problem, review .20Solve n−7=42.
If you missed this problem, review .−294Determine Whether a Decimal is a Solution of an EquationSolving equations with decimals is important in our everyday lives because money is usually written with decimals. When applications involve money, such as shopping for yourself, making your family’s budget, or planning for the future of your business, you’ll be solving equations with decimals.Now that we’ve worked with decimals, we are ready to find solutions to equations involving decimals. The steps we take to determine whether a number is a solution to an equation are the same whether the solution is a whole number, an integer, a fraction, or a decimal. We’ll list these steps here again for easy reference.Determine whether a number is a solution to an equation.Substitute the number for the variable in the equation.Simplify the expressions on both sides of the equation.Determine whether the resulting equation is true.
If so, the number is a solution.If not, the number is not a solution.Determine whether each of the following is a solution of x−0.7=1.5:ⓐx=1ⓑx=−0.8ⓒx=2.2Solution
ⓐSubtract.
Since x=1 does not result in a true equation, 1 is not a solution to the equation.
ⓑSubtract.
Since x=−0.8 does not result in a true equation, −0.8 is not a solution to the equation.
ⓒSubtract.
Since x=2.2 results in a true equation, 2.2 is a solution to the equation.Determine whether each value is a solution of the given equation.x−0.6=1.3:ⓐx=0.7ⓑx=1.9ⓒx=−0.7ⓐ no ⓑ yes ⓒ noDetermine whether each value is a solution of the given equation.y−0.4=1.7:ⓐy=2.1ⓑy=1.3ⓒ−1.3ⓐ yes ⓑ no ⓒ noSolve Equations with DecimalsIn previous chapters, we solved equations using the Properties of Equality. We will use these same properties to solve equations with decimals.Properties of Equality
Subtraction Property of EqualityFor any numbers a,b,andc,If a=b, then a−c=b−c.Addition Property of Equality
For any numbers a,b,andc,If a=b, then a+c=b+c.The Division Property of Equality
For any numbers a,b,andc,andc≠0If a=b, then ac=bcThe Multiplication Property of Equality
For any numbers a,b,andc,If a=b, then ac=bc
When you add, subtract, multiply or divide the same quantity from both sides of an equation, you still have equality.Solve: y+2.3=−4.7.SolutionWe will use the Subtraction Property of Equality to isolate the variable.
Simplify.Check:Simplify.
Since y=−7 makes y+2.3=−4.7 a true statement, we know we have found a solution to this equation.Solve: y+2.7=−5.3.y = −8Solve: y+3.6=−4.8.y = −8.4Solve: a−4.75=−1.39.SolutionWe will use the Addition Property of Equality.
Add 4.75 to each side, to undo the subtraction.Simplify.Check:
Since the result is a true statement, a=3.36 is a solution to the equation.Solve: a−3.93=−2.86.a = 1.07Solve: n−3.47=−2.64.n = 0.83Solve: −4.8=0.8n.SolutionWe will use the Division Property of Equality.Use the Properties of Equality to find a value for n.
We must divide both sides by 0.8 to isolate n.Simplify.Check:
Since n=−6 makes −4.8=0.8n a true statement, we know we have a solution.Solve: −8.4=0.7b.b = −12Solve: −5.6=0.7c.c = −8Solve: p−1.8=−6.5.SolutionWe will use the Multiplication Property of Equality.
Here, p is divided by −1.8. We must multiply by −1.8 to isolate pMultiply.Check:
A solution to p−1.8=−6.5 is p=11.7.Solve: c−2.6=−4.5.c = 11.7Solve: b−1.2=−5.4.b = 6.48Translate to an Equation and SolveNow that we have solved equations with decimals, we are ready to translate word sentences to equations and solve. Remember to look for words and phrases that indicate the operations to use.Translate and solve: The difference of n and 4.3 is 2.1.Solution
Translate.Add 4.3 to both sides of the equation.Simplify.Check:Is the difference of n and 4.3 equal to 2.1?Let n=6.4:Is the difference of 6.4 and 4.3 equal to 2.1?Translate.Simplify.
Translate and solve: The difference of y and 4.9 is 2.8.y − 4.9 = 2.8; y = 7.7Translate and solve: The difference of z and 5.7 is 3.4.z − 5.7 = 3.4; z = 9.1Translate and solve: The product of −3.1 and x is 5.27.Solution
Translate.Divide both sides by −3.1.Simplify.Check:Is the product of −3.1 and x equal to 5.27?Let x=−1.7:Is the product of −3.1 and −1.7 equal to 5.27?Translate.Simplify.
Translate and solve: The product of −4.3 and x is 12.04.−4.3x = 12.04; x = −2.8Translate and solve: The product of −3.1 and m is 26.66.−3.1m = 26.66; m = −8.6Translate and solve: The quotient of p and −2.4 is 6.5.Solution
Translate.Multiply both sides by −2.4.Simplify.Check:Is the quotient of p and −2.4 equal to 6.5?Let p=−15.6:Is the quotient of −15.6 and −2.4 equal to 6.5?Translate.Simplify.
Translate and solve: The quotient of q and −3.4 is 4.5.q−3.4=4.5;q=−15.3Translate and solve: The quotient of r and −2.6 is 2.5.r−2.6=2.5;r=−6.5Translate and solve: The sum of n and 2.9 is 1.7.Solution
Translate.Subtract 2.9 from each side.Simplify.Check:Is the sum n and 2.9 equal to 1.7?Let n=−1.2:Is the sum −1.2 and 2.9 equal to 1.7?Translate.Simplify.
Translate and solve: The sum of j and 3.8 is 2.6.j + 3.8 = 2.6; j = −1.2Translate and solve: The sum of k and 4.7 is 0.3.k + 4.7 = 0.3; k = −4.4ACCESS ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCESSolving One Step Equations Involving DecimalsSolve a One Step Equation With Decimals by Adding and SubtractingSolve a One Step Equation With Decimals by MultiplyingSolve a One Step Equation With Decimals by DividingKey ConceptsDetermine whether a number is a solution to an equation.Substitute the number for the variable in the equation. Simplify the expressions on both sides of the equation.Determine whether the resulting equation is true.
If so, the number is a solution.
If not, the number is not a solution.Properties of Equality
Subtraction Property of EqualityAddition Property of EqualityFor any numbers a, b, and c,Ifa=bthena−c=b−cFor any numbers a, b, and c,Ifa=bthena+c=b+cDivision of Property of EqualityMultiplication Property of EqualityFor any numbers a, b, and c≠0,Ifa=bthenac=bcFor any numbers a, b, and c,Ifa=bthena⋅c=b⋅c
Practice Makes PerfectDetermine Whether a Decimal is a Solution of an EquationIn the following exercises, determine whether each number is a solution of the given equation.x−0.8=2.3ⓐx=2ⓑx=−1.5ⓒx=3.1ⓐ no ⓑ no ⓒ yesy+0.6=−3.4ⓐy=−4ⓑy=−2.8ⓒy=2.6h1.5=−4.3ⓐh=6.45ⓑh=−6.45ⓒh=−2.1ⓐ no ⓑ yes ⓒ no0.75k=−3.6ⓐk=−0.48ⓑk=−4.8ⓒk=−2.7Solve Equations with DecimalsIn the following exercises, solve the equation.y+2.9=5.7y = 2.8m+4.6=6.5f+3.45=2.6f = −0.85h+4.37=3.5a+6.2=−1.7a = −7.9b+5.8=−2.3c+1.15=−3.5c = −4.65d+2.35=−4.8n−2.6=1.8n = 4.4p−3.6=1.7x−0.4=−3.9x = −3.5y−0.6=−4.5j−1.82=−6.5j = −4.68k−3.19=−4.6m−0.25=−1.67m = −1.42q−0.47=−1.530.5x=3.5x = 70.4p=9.2−1.7c=8.5c = −5−2.9x=5.8−1.4p=−4.2p = 3−2.8m=−8.4−120=1.5qq = −80−75=1.5y0.24x=4.8x = 200.18n=5.4−3.4z=−9.18z = 2.7−2.7u=−9.72a0.4=−20a = −8b0.3=−9x0.7=−0.4x = −0.28y0.8=−0.7p−5=−1.65p = 8.25q−4=−5.92r−1.2=−6r = 7.2s−1.5=−3Mixed PracticeIn the following exercises, solve the equation. Then check your solution.x−5=−11x = −6−25=x+34p+8=−2p = −10p+23=112−4.2m=−33.6m = 8q+9.5=−14q+56=112q=−348.615=−d78m=110m=435j−6.2=−3−23=y+38y=−2524s−1.75=−3.21120=−ff=−1120−3.6b=2.52−4.2a=3.36a = −0.8−9.1n=−63.7r−1.25=−2.7r = −1.4514n=710h−3=−8h = 24y−7.82=−16Translate to an Equation and SolveIn the following exercises, translate and solve.The difference of n and 1.9 is 3.4.n−1.9=3.4;5.3The difference n and 1.5 is 0.8.The product of −6.2 and x is −4.96.−6.2x = −4.96; 0.8The product of −4.6 and x is −3.22.The quotient of y and −1.7 is −5.y−1.7=−5;8.5The quotient of z and −3.6 is 3.The sum of n and −7.3 is 2.4.n + (−7.3) = 2.4; 9.7The sum of n and −5.1 is 3.8.Everyday MathShawn bought a pair of shoes on sale for $78. Solve the equation 0.75p=78 to find the original price of the shoes, p.$104Mary bought a new refrigerator. The total price including sales tax was $1,350. Find the retail price, r, of the refrigerator before tax by solving the equation 1.08r=1,350.Writing ExercisesThink about solving the equation 1.2y=60, but do not actually solve it. Do you think the solution should be greater than 60 or less than 60? Explain your reasoning. Then solve the equation to see if your thinking was correct.Answers will vary.Think about solving the equation 0.8x=200, but do not actually solve it. Do you think the solution should be greater than 200 or less than 200? Explain your reasoning. Then solve the equation to see if your thinking was correct.Self Checkⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ On a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your mastery of this section in light of your responses on the checklist? How can you improve this?