Solving Equations

Front

What is an equation?

Back

An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions, typically containing one or more variables.

Front

What does it mean to solve an equation?

Back

To solve an equation means to find the value(s) of the variable(s) that make the equation true.

Front

What is a variable in mathematics?

Back

A variable is a symbol, often a letter, that represents an unknown value in an equation or expression.

Front

What is the principle of balancing equations?

Back

The principle of balancing equations states that whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other side to maintain equality.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, allowing you to multiply a single term by two or more terms inside a set of parentheses.

Front

How do you isolate a variable in an equation?

Back

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to get the variable alone on one side of the equation.

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What does it mean if an equation has no solution?

Back

An equation has no solution if there are no values for the variable that can satisfy the equation.

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What does it mean if an equation has infinitely many solutions?

Back

An equation has infinitely many solutions if any value of the variable satisfies the equation, often occurring in identities.

Front

Solve for x: 2x + 3 = 11

Back

x = 4

Front

Solve for a: -3a + 8 = 14

Back

a = -2