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Grade 9 Mathematics: Equations with brackets PORTLAND

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Revision of previous work:

Solve for x in the following.
1. 7–3x = 4x – 8
∴ 7 − 3𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 4𝑥 − 8 + 3𝑥
∴ 7 = 7x  8
∴ 7+8=7x  8+8
∴ 15 = 7x
1 1
∴ (15) = (7𝑥)
7 7
15
∴ =𝑥
7
2. 5x + 6 – 3x = 2x + 4
∴ 2x + 6 = 2x + 4 (We can add the x together)
∴ 3x + 6  2x = 2x + 4  2x
∴ x + 6  6 = 4  6 .......................................................................................................................
∴ x = 2
3. 12 + 2x – 2 = 3x + 5 + 4x
∴ 2x + 10 = 7x + 5 (We can add 43 = 1 and 3x + 4x = 7x)
∴ 2x + 10  2x = 7x + 5  2x
∴ 10  5 = 5x + 5  5
∴ 5 = 5x
1 1
∴ (5) = (5𝑥)
5 5
∴ 1=𝑥

Simplify the following expressions to the form ax+b.

4. 4(3x + 1)  2(3x + 1)
= 4(3x) + 4(1)  2(3x)  2(1)
= 12x + 4  6x  2
= 6x + 2
5. 7  (2x + 3)  5(2x + 1)
= 7  1(2x)  1(3)  5(2x)  5(1)
= 7  2x  3  10x  5
= 12x  1
6. 1  4(2x + 1)  3(4x  5)
= 1  4(2x)  4(1)  3(4x)  3(5)
= 1 8x  4  12x + 15 Note that a negative × negative = positive so 3(5)=15
= 20x + 12

Worked out examples

Solve for x in the following. Show all calculations.
7. 3(2x + 5) = 5 + 2(x + 3)
∴ 3(2x) + 3(5) = 5 + 2(x) + 2(3) First multiply
∴ 6𝑥 + 15 = ⏟ 5 + 2𝑥 + ⏟ 6 Now add like terms

Grade 9 Mathematics: Equations with brackets Page 1 of 3

Surname, Name: ......................................................................................................Grade:…..
∴ 6x + 15 = 2x + 11 Now I write the x first then the number. This is not
necessary.
We now have an equation that we know how to solve.
∴ 6x + 15  2x = 2x + 11  2x As done previously subtract 2x on both sides.
∴ 4x + 15 = 11 Add the like terms
∴ 4x + 15  15 = 11  15 Subtract 15 on both sides
∴ 4x = 4 Add the like terms
1 1 1
∴ (4𝑥) = (−4) Multiply by on both sides
4 4 4
∴ x = −1 Simplify
8. 5  3(2x + 5) + 4x = 2  (3x  5) + 3(2x  1)
∴ 5  3(2x)  3(5) + 4x = 2  1(3x)  1(5) + 3(2x) + 2(1)
Multiply where needed. Remember that (3x  5) means 1(3x  5)
∴ 5  6x  15 + 4x = 2  3x + 5 + 6x  2
Simplify each multiplication. If you feel confident enough you can go straight to the above and ignore the first step.
∴ 2x  10 = 3x + 5
Add all the like terms on each side. Note you cannot add “across” the equal sign. Add all the x on the LHS and separately the
numbers on the LHS. Do the same of the RHS.
∴ 2x  10 + 2x = 3x + 5 + 2x
Add 2x on both sides
∴ 10 = 5x + 5
Add the like terms
∴ 10  5 = 5x + 5  5
Add 5 on both sides
∴ 15 = 5x
Add the like terms
1 1
∴ (−15) = (5𝑥)
5 5
1
Multiply both sides by
5

∴ 3 = x

Questions for learners to work out by themselves.

Solve for x in the following. Show all calculation.

9. 2(x + 3) – 3(x –4) = 10
∴ 2x + 6  3x + 12 = 10
∴ x + 18 = 10
∴ x + 18  18 = 10  18
∴ x =  8
∴ (x) = (8)
∴ x=8
10. 2(3x –4) + 2(x –2) = 1 + 3(x –4)
∴ 6x  8 + 2x  4 = 1 +3x  12
∴ 8x  12 = 3x  11
∴ 8x  12  3x = 3x  11  3x
∴ 8x  12 = 11
∴ 8x  12 + 12 = 11 + 12
∴ 8x = 1

Grade 9 Mathematics: Equations with brackets Page 2 of 3

Surname, Name: ......................................................................................................Grade:…..
1 1
∴ (8𝑥) = (1)
8 8
1
∴ x=
8
11. 2 – (3x –5) + 3(2x–1)=4x – (2x+1)
∴ 2  3x + 5 + 6x  3 = 4x  2x  1
∴ 3x + 4 = 2x  1
∴ 3x + 4  2x = 2x  1  2x
∴ x + 4 = 1
∴ x + 4  4 = 1  4
∴ x = 5
12. 3 – (2x +1) + 2(3x+1)=2 + 4(x –3)
∴ 3  2x  1 + 6x + 2 = 2 + 4x  12
∴ 4x + 4 = 4x  10
∴ 4x + 4  4x = 4x  10  4x
∴ 4 = 10
∴ No solution as 4 is never = 10
The answer to this one you have to give in words and work it out for yourself‼
13. 2(x + 1) +x = 3(x –3) + 11
∴ 2x + 2 + x = 3x  9 + 11
∴ 3x + 2 = 3x + 2
∴ Any x is a solution as both sides the same. Check any few numbers.
The answer to this one you have to give in words and work it out for yourself‼
14. 2x(x+1) + 4(x–1) = 3(x –3) + 2x2
∴ 2x(x) + 2x(1) + 4(x) + 4(2) = 3(x) + 3(3) + 2x2
∴ 2x2 + 2x + 4x  8 = 3x  9 +2x2 (Note 2x(x) = 2x2
∴ 2x2 + 6x  8 = 2x2 + 3x  9
∴ 2x2 + 6x  8  2x2 = 2x2 + 3x  9 ‘ 2x2 Because we have x2 and x we first get rid of the x2 on one side.
∴ 6x  8 = 3x  9
∴ 6x  8  3x = 3x  9  3x
∴ 3x  8 = 9
∴ 3x  8 + 8 = 9 + 8
∴ 3x = 1
1 1
∴ (3𝑥) = (−1)
3 3
1
∴ 𝑥=−
3

Grade 9 Mathematics: Equations with brackets Page 3 of 3