Difference between revisions of "Algebraic manipulation"
Rockmanex3 (talk | contribs) (More information on algebraic manipulation, including cross-multiplication and extraneous solutions.) |
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<cmath>\begin{align*} | <cmath>\begin{align*} | ||
\frac{x}{3} &= \frac{10}{5} \\ | \frac{x}{3} &= \frac{10}{5} \\ | ||
| − | + | 5 \cdot x &= 3 \cdot 10 \\ | |
5x &= 30 \\ | 5x &= 30 \\ | ||
x &= 6 | x &= 6 | ||
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** [https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-equations-expressions/pre-algebra-one-step-mult-div-equations/e/linear_equations_1 One Step Multiplication/Division Linear Equation] | ** [https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-equations-expressions/pre-algebra-one-step-mult-div-equations/e/linear_equations_1 One Step Multiplication/Division Linear Equation] | ||
** [https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-equations-expressions/pre-algebra-2-step-equations-intro/e/linear_equations_2 Two Step Linear Equation] | ** [https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-equations-expressions/pre-algebra-2-step-equations-intro/e/linear_equations_2 Two Step Linear Equation] | ||
| + | * Practice Problems on [https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus Alcumus] | ||
| + | ** Basic Linear Equations | ||
| + | ** Advanced Linear Equations | ||
* [[1950 AHSME Problems/Problem 2]] | * [[1950 AHSME Problems/Problem 2]] | ||
* [[1990 AHSME Problems/Problem 1]] | * [[1990 AHSME Problems/Problem 1]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:49, 8 November 2020
Algebraic manipulation involves doing opposite operations (undoing) to any equation to solve for a certain variable (often by isolation).
Contents
Properties of Equality
Any time we add, subtract, multiply, divide, square, square root, etc. to one side, we must do it to the other side to maintain equality.
Example
In the example, we first subtract 18 from the left side to isolate the 
. However, we also have to subtract 18 from the right side to maintain equality. The right hand side becomes 
.
We then square root the left side to get the 
by itself. However, we also have to square root the right side to maintain equality.
Cross Multiplication
Cross multiplication is a common method of solving proportions. Essentially, one is multiplying both sides by the denominators of both sides.
Example
The above method of solving is an example of cross-multiplication. During the cross-multiplication, we actually multiplied both sides by 
. On the LHS, the 
gets divided out (leaving a 
for multiplication), and on the RHS, the gets divided out (leaving a for multiplication).
Potential Extraneous Solutions
In some methods of isolation like squaring both sides or multiplying both sides by a non-constant, we could introduce additional "solutions" that aren't really solutions to the original equation. Such solutions are called "extraneous solutions". Thus, when doing such methods, it is a good idea to check the solutions by plugging it back into the original equation.
Additionally, when dividing both sides by a non-constant, we could eliminate perfectly valid solutions. Thus, when possible, it's often better to factor than to divide both sides.
Example
When solving, we start by multiplying both sides by 
. Then we used algebraic manipulation to get all terms to one side to form a quadratic. After factoring, we get 
.
Plugging in 
satisfies the original equation because 
. However, plugging in 
does not satisfy the original equation because 
on both sides is undefined. Thus, is the only valid solution, and is an extraneous solution.
The extraneous solution appeared when we multiplied both sides by 
. The original equation banned as a possible solution because it would make the denominator zero. However, after multiplying both sides by , there is no denominator that eliminates as a possible solution.
Problems
Introductory
- Practice Problems on Khan Academy
- Practice Problems on Alcumus
- Basic Linear Equations
- Advanced Linear Equations
- 1950 AHSME Problems/Problem 2
- 1990 AHSME Problems/Problem 1
