Solving Equations

Front

What is an equation?

Back

An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions, typically containing 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 the first step in solving the equation 2x - (3 + 4x) = 11?

Back

The first step is to simplify the left side of the equation by distributing and combining like terms.

Front

Solve the equation: 2x - (3 + 4x) = 11.

Back

x = -7.

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.

Front

Solve the equation: -3(2c - 5) = 15.

Back

c = 0.

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms?

Back

Combining like terms means to add or subtract terms that have the same variable raised to the same power.

Front

Solve the equation: 12 - 4x - x = 2.

Back

x = 2.

Front

What is a linear equation?

Back

A linear equation is an equation of the first degree, meaning it has no exponents greater than one and graphs as a straight line.