Checking Solutions to Equations
How Do We Check if a Value is a Solution to an Equation?An equation works like this: (left-hand side expression) = (right-hand side expression)Therefore, an equation is only true if the left-han...
Number of Solutions to an Equation
How Many Solutions Can an Equation Have?Okay, algebristas,* different equations can have different numbers of solutions. Right now, we're only counting solutions from the real numbers. Some equatio...
Adding and Subtracting Constants
Sample ProblemConsider the equation x = 5. This equation claims that x is equal to 5. That means the "weight" of x is the same as the "weight" of 5, so let's get visual and draw a p...
Adding and Subtracting Variables
Just as we can add and subtract constants from both sides of an equation, we can also add and subtract copies of the variable from both sides of the equation. Therefore, if the same variable appear...
Multiplication and Division
Sample ProblemSolve the equation 8x = 5x + 24.The first thing we do is subtract 5x from each side to find that 3x = 24.We haven't talked yet about what to do with this sort of equation, bu...
Simplifying Equations
Sometimes parentheses make equations look more complicated than they actually are. (See how much more complicated this sentence seems?) If you simplify the expressions on each side of the equat...
Eliminating Fractions
Aw...what did they ever do to you?When lots of fractions are involved, there's another way to make an equation look simpler before solving it: get rid of the fractions. Sweep them away, pack the...
Keeping Both Solutions
Equations of the form x2 = (some positive number) have two solutions: the positive and the negative square roots of that positive number. That's okay—there's room here for a second answer. The mo...
When You Get Stuck
Like a truck. In the mud. Sometimes, when working out a math problem, we get stuck. Our tires are spinning like crazy, but we aren't moving forward a hair. Here's a neat trick: figuring out why...
Solving Equations with Multiple Variables
When an equation has more than one variable, we can't just say "solve the equation." That's like telling you to "name the One Tenor." You can't do that, because there are three of them. Not that...
Strict Inequalities
These inequalities don't take no guff. They lay down the law. Better not cross 'em.The symbol "" abbreviates "is greater than." We personally think the latter symbol is superior, which we can ex...
Equivalent Inequalities
Equivalent inequalities are inequalities with the same solutions. They're also the most likely to get paired up together on eHarmony. It's incredible how much they have in common. It's like they...
Non-Strict Inequalities
Inequalities that Allow EqualityOkay, time out. How can you be an inequality and allow equality? Isn't that an oxymoron? Can you also perform an injustice that is just? Or have indigestion while di...
Solving Inequalities
When we solved equations, we found all values of the variable that made the equation true. Similarly, we can solve inequalities to find all values of the variable that make the inequality true....