Solving Equations with Variables on Both Sides

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 are variables in an equation?

Back

Variables are symbols (often letters) that represent unknown values in mathematical expressions or equations.

Front

What is the goal when solving equations with variables on both sides?

Back

The goal is to isolate the variable on one side of the equation to find its value.

Front

What is the first step in solving an equation like 5y + 34 = -2(-7y + 1)?

Back

The first step is to simplify both sides of the equation, if necessary, by distributing and combining like terms.

Front

How do you isolate a variable in an equation?

Back

To isolate a variable, you perform inverse operations to both sides of the equation until the variable is alone on one side.

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 each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

Solve: 2x = x + 3. What is x?

Back

x = 3.

Front

What is a like term?

Back

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, allowing them to be combined.

Front

What does it mean to combine like terms?

Back

Combining like terms involves adding or subtracting coefficients of terms that have the same variable.