Equations

#math #foundational

What is an equation?

An equation is a mathematical problem with a definite answer, all values are defined. It is represented with an = sign. For example: 45 + 340 = 385 All values are defined, so we can caluate an answer.

On the other hand, an expression is a calculation with no definite answer, it often has unknown values represented by a letter. Eg: a² + -3 We cannot find an answer for this because a is an undefined value.

Solving Equations

If the coefficient of the bracket is a factor of what the equation equals it can be simple to divide the question by this first.

Eg.

Simple

$\frac{\text{3(x+1)}}{\text{3}} = \frac{\text{18}}{\text{3}}$ $\text{x} + \text{1} = \text{6}$ $\text{x} = \text{5}$

Not Simple

$\text{5({x} – {2})} = \text{8}$ $\text{5x} - \text{10} = \text{8}$ $\text{5x} = \text{18}$ $\text{x} = \text{3.6}$