3/27/25, 12:49 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
Algebraic Equations Cheat Sheet 📝
1️⃣ Basics of Algebraic Equations
An algebraic equation is a mathematical statement that shows the equality between two expressions,
containing variables, numbers, and operations.
Types of Equations
✅ Linear Equations: ax + b = 0
✅ Quadratic Equations: ax2 + bx + c = 0
✅ Polynomial Equations: axn + bxn−1 + ⋯ + d = 0
✅ Rational Equations: Contains fractions with variables
✅ Radical Equations: Includes square roots or other roots
✅ Exponential Equations: Variables in exponents
2️⃣ Solving Linear Equations
A linear equation has the form:
ax + b = c
Steps to Solve:
1️⃣ Isolate the variable (x)
2️⃣ Perform inverse operations
3️⃣ Solve for x
🔢 Problem 1: Solve 3x + 5 = 17
✏ Solution:
3x = 17 − 5
3x = 12
12
x= =4
3
🔢 Problem 2: Solve 5x − 7 = 2x + 8
✏ Solution:
5x − 2x = 8 + 7
https://chatgpt.com/c/67e35e6b-8f28-8006-88d2-7f3e25230a06 1/5
3/27/25, 12:49 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
3x = 15
15
x= =5
3
3️⃣ Solving Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation has the form:
ax2 + bx + c = 0
Methods to Solve Quadratic Equations
1️⃣ Factoring
2️⃣ Quadratic Formula
3️⃣ Completing the Square
4️⃣ Graphing
🔢 Problem 3 (Factoring Method): Solve x2 − 5x + 6 = 0
✏ Solution:
(x − 2)(x − 3) = 0
Set each factor to zero:
x−2=0 ⇒ x=2
x−3=0 ⇒ x=3
✅ Solutions: x = 2, 3
🔢 Problem 4 (Quadratic Formula Method): Solve 2x2 + 3x − 2 = 0
✏ Solution:
Use the quadratic formula:
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a
Substituting a = 2, b = 3, and c = −2:
−3 ± (3)2 − 4(2)(−2)
x=
2(2)
−3 ± 9 + 16
x=
4
https://chatgpt.com/c/67e35e6b-8f28-8006-88d2-7f3e25230a06 2/5
3/27/25, 12:49 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
−3 ± 25
x=
4
−3 ± 5
x=
4
−3 + 5 2 1
x= = =
4 4 2
−3 − 5 −8
x= = = −2
4 4
✅ Solutions: x = 12 , −2
4️⃣ Solving Rational Equations
A rational equation has fractions with variables.
Steps to Solve:
1️⃣ Find the least common denominator (LCD)
2️⃣ Multiply both sides by the LCD to clear fractions
3️⃣ Solve for x
🔢 Problem 5: Solve x
3
+2= 5
6
✏ Solution:
Multiply by LCD = 6:
x 5
6×( + 2) = 6 ×
3 6
2x + 12 = 5
2x = −7
−7
x=
2
✅ Solution: x = − 72
5️⃣ Solving Radical Equations
https://chatgpt.com/c/67e35e6b-8f28-8006-88d2-7f3e25230a06 3/5
3/27/25, 12:49 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
A radical equation contains square roots.
Steps to Solve:
1️⃣ Isolate the square root
2️⃣ Square both sides
3️⃣ Solve for x
4️⃣ Check for extraneous solutions
🔢 Problem 6: Solve x + 3 = 5
✏ Solution:
( x + 3 )2 = 52
x + 3 = 25
x = 22
✅ Solution: x = 22
6️⃣ Solving Exponential Equations
An exponential equation has variables in the exponent.
Steps to Solve:
1️⃣ Rewrite using the same base
2️⃣ Set exponents equal to each other
3️⃣ Solve for x
🔢 Problem 7: Solve 2x+1 = 16
✏ Solution:
Since 16 = 24 , rewrite the equation:
2x+1 = 24
Since bases are the same, set exponents equal:
x+1=4
x=3
✅ Solution: x = 3
https://chatgpt.com/c/67e35e6b-8f28-8006-88d2-7f3e25230a06 4/5
3/27/25, 12:49 PM Expanding and simplifying expression
7️⃣ Summary Table of Methods
Equation Type General Form Solution Method
Linear Equation ax + b = c Isolate x
Quadratic Equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 Factoring, Quadratic Formula
a c
Rational Equation b
+ d
Multiply by LCD
Radical Equation x =a
Square both sides
Exponential Equation ax = b Logarithms or rewrite bases
🚀 Extra Practice Problems
1. 2x − 7 = 5x + 1
2. x2 − 4x − 12 = 0
3. 3x = 5
6
4. x+4 =3
5. 32x+1 = 27
https://chatgpt.com/c/67e35e6b-8f28-8006-88d2-7f3e25230a06 5/5
