Solving Equations

Front

What are like terms in an equation?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variables raised to the same power. They can be combined by adding or subtracting their coefficients.

Front

How do you solve equations with variables on both sides?

Back

To solve equations with variables on both sides, first move the variables to one side of the equation by adding or subtracting them. Then, solve for the variable as you would in a regular equation.

Front

What is the distributive property in equations?

Back

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac. It allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

What is the first step in solving a two-step equation?

Back

The first step is to undo addition or subtraction to isolate the term with the variable. Then, undo multiplication or division to solve for the variable.

Front

How do you check your solution to an equation?

Back

Substitute your solution back into the original equation. If both sides of the equation are equal, your solution is correct.

Front

What does it mean to isolate the variable in an equation?

Back

Isolating the variable means getting the variable alone on one side of the equation, usually by performing inverse operations on both sides.