Variables on Both Sides of the Equation

Front

What is a variable in an equation?

Back

A symbol (often a letter) that represents an unknown value in an equation.

Front

What does it mean to solve an equation?

Back

Finding the value of the variable that makes the equation true.

Front

What is the first step in solving an equation with variables on both sides?

Back

Isolate the variable by moving all terms involving the variable to one side of the equation.

Front

How do you combine like terms in an equation?

Back

Add or subtract coefficients of the same variable to simplify the equation.

Front

What is the distributive property?

Back

a(b + c) = ab + ac; it allows you to multiply a single term by each term inside a parenthesis.

Front

Solve: 3 - 5x = -9 + x

Back

x = 2

Front

What is the solution to the equation 2c - 12 = 9c + 2?

Back

c = -2

Front

How do you check if your solution to an equation is correct?

Back

Substitute the solution back into the original equation to see if both sides are equal.

Front

Solve: 2(2t - 3) = 6(t + 2)

Back

t = -9

Front

What does it mean if an equation has no solution?

Back

It means there is no value for the variable that can satisfy the equation.