Parts of an Equation
A letter that represents a number.
Variable
243
Simplify:
8(2x+3)-4
Use the Distributive Property and clear the parentheses
16x+24-4
X+4=10
One Solution:
6
An equation is a mathematical expression that must have this sign
An equals sign
Numbers by themselves
Constants
l-12-19l
31
Simplify:
2a-3b+7a-9
Combine like terms:
2a+7a-3b-9
9a-3b-9
lx+5l=25
Two Solutions:20 and -30
The distance a value is from zero
Absolute Value
The number you multiply a variable by
Example: The 3 in 3x
Coefficient
If a scuba diver starts at the surface of the ocean and descends 55 ft then ascends 20 feet, how far is he from the surface?
35 feet
lx-4l=10
Clear the absolute value by creating two equations
x-4=10 x-4=-10
x+3=x+13
No Solutions
A mathematical expression that uses both numbers and variables.
Algebraic Expression
The value that makes an equation true. The answer to an equation.
Solution
l3/4-4l=
3 1/4 or 3.25
5lA-4l=10
Use the distributed property:
l5A-20l=10
lX-5l=0
One Solution
5
Terms
Terms that have the same variable (or no variables)
Like Terms
lX-7l=20
Two answers
27 and -13
12w-(9w+3)
Combine Like Terms
12w-9w+3
3w+3
x+7=x+4+3
Infinitely Many Solutions
Literal Equation
An equation with more than one variable