Algebraic Equations

Definition

Algebraic equations are mathematical statements that express the relationship between variables and constants using algebraic operations. They are fundamental to solving problems in pre-algebra and algebra, as they allow for the manipulation and simplification of expressions to find unknown values.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Algebraic equations can be used to solve for unknown values in a variety of real-world applications, such as finding the cost of an item or the time it takes to complete a task.
2. The Division Property of Equality states that if both sides of an equation are divided by the same non-zero value, the resulting equation will still be true.
3. Solving equations with decimals requires the same principles as solving equations with integers, but may involve additional steps to ensure the decimal places are properly aligned.
4. The Multiplication Property of Equality states that if both sides of an equation are multiplied by the same non-zero value, the resulting equation will still be true.
5. Applying the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality allows for the simplification and isolation of variables in more complex algebraic equations.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Division Property of Equality can be used to solve equations with integers.
  • The Division Property of Equality states that if both sides of an equation are divided by the same non-zero value, the resulting equation will still be true. This property can be used to solve equations with integers by isolating the variable on one side of the equation. For example, if you have the equation $5x = 20$, you can divide both sides by 5 to get $x = 4$, as the division of both sides by the same non-zero value preserves the equality of the equation.
• Describe the process of solving equations with decimals using the properties of equality.
  • Solving equations with decimals follows the same principles as solving equations with integers, but may involve additional steps to ensure the decimal places are properly aligned. For instance, if you have the equation $2.5x = 7.5$, you can divide both sides by 2.5 to isolate the variable, just as you would with an integer equation. However, you must be careful to maintain the proper decimal alignment, resulting in the solution $x = 3$. The Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality allow for the simplification and isolation of variables in equations with decimal values.
• Analyze how the Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality can be used together to solve more complex algebraic equations.
  • The Division and Multiplication Properties of Equality can be applied in sequence to solve more complex algebraic equations. For example, if you have the equation $3(2x - 1) = 12$, you can first use the Multiplication Property to distribute the 3, resulting in $6x - 3 = 12$. Then, you can use the Division Property to isolate the variable, dividing both sides by 3 to get $2x - 1 = 4$. Finally, you can add 1 to both sides and divide by 2 to find the solution, $x = 3$. By strategically applying these properties of equality, you can simplify and solve even intricate algebraic equations.

Related terms

Variable: A symbol, usually a letter, that represents an unknown or changeable quantity in an algebraic equation.

Constant: A fixed value or quantity that does not change within the context of a particular problem or equation.

Equation Solving: The process of finding the value of the unknown variable in an equation by applying various algebraic properties and operations.