 An equation is an expression for which you know the answer. Here's an equation: 2x + 1 = 7 We know the expression 2x + 1 gives an answer of 7 when you fill in the number for x. What must x be? The only number that works is 3 Let's fill it in to make sure: 2x + 1 = 2(3) + 1 = 7 When you know the answer to an expression and you guess the value of the variable that makes it work, you are solving an equation. Try solving some more equations. Guess the value of the variable that makes each equation true. (Once again, place your mouse cursor on the box to see if you were correct).
Sometimes the numbers in the equation are large, or the value of the variable is a decimal. In those cases, you will have trouble guessing the answer. In your next math course you will learn a method for solving equations that always works, and doesn't involve guessing! Now you can review what we've covered, or try the quiz |
