Solve Equations With Decimals

Learning Outcomes

Determine whether a decimal is a solution to an equation
Solve an equation that contains decimals using the addition and subtraction properties

Determine Whether a Decimal is a Solution of an Equation

Solving 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.

example

Determine whether each of the following is a solution of [latex]x - 0.7=1.5[/latex]

1. [latex]x=1[/latex]

2. [latex]x=-0.8[/latex]

3. [latex]x=2.2[/latex]

Solution

1.
	[latex]x-0.7=1.5[/latex]
Substitute [latex]\color{red}{1}[/latex] for x.	[latex]\color{red}{1} - 0.7\stackrel{?}{=}1.5[/latex]
Subtract.	[latex]0.3\not=1.5[/latex]

Since [latex]x=1[/latex] does not result in a true equation, [latex]1[/latex] is not a solution to the equation.

2.
	[latex]x-0.7=1.5[/latex]
Substitute [latex]\color{red}{0.8}[/latex] for x.	[latex]\color{red}{0.8} - 0.7\stackrel{?}{=}1.5[/latex]
Subtract.	[latex]-1.5\not=1.5[/latex]

Since [latex]x=-0.8[/latex] does not result in a true equation, [latex]-0.8[/latex] is not a solution to the equation.

3.
	[latex]x-0.7=1.5[/latex]
Substitute [latex]\color{red}{2.2}[/latex] for x.	[latex]\color{red}{2.2} - 0.7\stackrel{?}{=}1.5[/latex]
Subtract.	[latex]1.5=1.5[/latex]

Since [latex]x=2.2[/latex] results in a true equation, [latex]2.2[/latex] is a solution to the equation.

try it

In 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 Equality

For any numbers [latex]a,b,\text{and }c[/latex]

If [latex]a=b[/latex], then [latex]a-c=b-c[/latex].

Addition Property of Equality

For any numbers [latex]a,b,\text{and }c[/latex]

If [latex]a=b[/latex], then [latex]a+c=b+c[/latex].

The Division Property of Equality

For any numbers [latex]a,b,\text{and }c,\text{and }c\ne 0[/latex]

If [latex]a=b[/latex], then [latex]{\Large\frac{a}{c}}={\Large\frac{b}{c}}[/latex]

The Multiplication Property of Equality

For any numbers [latex]a,b,\text{and }c[/latex]

If [latex]a=b[/latex], then [latex]ac=bc[/latex]

When you add, subtract, multiply or divide the same quantity from both sides of an equation, you still have equality.

example

Solve: [latex]y+2.3=-4.7[/latex]

Show Solution

try it

example

Solve: [latex]a - 4.75=-1.39[/latex]

Show Solution

try it

In the following video we show more examples of using the addition and subtraction properties of equality to solve linear equations that contain decimals.

example

Solve: [latex]-4.8=0.8n[/latex]

Show Solution

try it

Watch the next video to see how to solve another equation with decimals that requires division.

example

Solve: [latex]{\Large\frac{p}{-1.8}}=-6.5[/latex]

Show Solution

try it

The following video shows an example of how to solve an equation with decimals that requires multiplication.

		[latex]y+2.3=-4.7[/latex]
Subtract [latex]\color{red}{2.3}[/latex] from each side, to undo the addition.		[latex]y+2.3\color{red}{- 2.3}=-4.7\color{red}{- 2.3}[/latex]
Simplify.		[latex]y-7[/latex]
Check:	[latex]y+2.3=-4.7[/latex]
Substitute [latex]y=\color{red}{-7}[/latex].	[latex]\color{red}{-7}+2.3\stackrel{?}{=}-4.7[/latex]
Simplify.	[latex]-4.7=-4.7[/latex]

		[latex]a-4.75=-1.39[/latex]
Add [latex]4.75[/latex] to each side, to undo the subtraction.		[latex]a-4.75+\color{red}{4.75}=-1.39+\color{red}{4.75}[/latex]
Simplify.		[latex]a=3.36[/latex]
Check:	[latex]a-4.75=-1.39[/latex]
Substitute [latex]a=\color{red}{3.36}[/latex].	[latex]\color{red}{3.36}-4.75\stackrel{?}{=}-1.39[/latex]
	[latex]-1.39=-1.39[/latex]

		[latex]-4.8=0.8n[/latex]
We must divide both sides by [latex]0.8[/latex] to isolate n.		[latex]{\Large\frac{-4.8}{\color{red}{0.8}}}={\Large\frac{0.8n}{\color{red}{0.8}}}[/latex]
Simplify.		[latex]-6=n[/latex]
Check:	[latex]-4.8=0.8n[/latex]
Substitute [latex]n=\color{red}{-6}[/latex].	[latex]-4.8\stackrel{?}{=}0.8(\color{red}{-6})[/latex]
	[latex]-4.8=-4.8[/latex]

		[latex]{\Large\frac{p}{-1.8}}=-6.5[/latex]
Here, p is divided by [latex]−1.8[/latex]. We must multiply by [latex]−1.8[/latex] to isolate p		[latex]\color{red}{-1.8}({\Large\frac{p}{-1.8}})=\color{red}{-1.8}(-6.5)[/latex]
Multiply.		[latex]p=11.7[/latex]
Check:	[latex]{\Large\frac{p}{-1.8}}=-6.5[/latex]
	[latex]{\Large\frac{\color{red}{11.7}}{-1.8}}\stackrel{?}{=}-6.5[/latex]
Substitute [latex]p=\color{red}{11.7}[/latex].	[latex]-6.5=-6.5[/latex]

Prerequisite Topics for Ratios, Rates, Proportions and Percents