Linear Equations (Edexcel IGCSE Maths A)

A linear equation is an equation that will produce a straight line when plotted on a graph. The greatest power of x in a linear equation is 1 (so there is no term in x² or any higher power).

True.

To solve a linear equation, you need to isolate the variable by carrying out inverse operations to both sides.

Inverse operations are the opposite operations to what has already happened to the variable.

Examples of inverse operations are:

• Add and subtract

• Multiply and divide

• Square and take the square root

To solve a linear equation of the form :

• First subtract from both sides

• Then divide both sides by

True.

If a linear equation contains the unknown variable on both sides, you should first collect the variable terms on one side.

The first step to solve a linear equation with brackets is to expand the brackets (on both sides if necessary).

The first step to solve a linear equation with fractions is to remove the fractions by multiplying both sides by the denominators.

True.

After solving a linear equation, you should substitute your answer back into the equation to check if it is correct.

This is a quick way to spot if you have made any mistakes.

Isolate the variable means to get the variable term (x for example) by itself on one side of the equation.

The greatest power of x in a linear equation is 1.