Equations and Expressions
Objective
[edit | edit source]In this lesson, we will cover variables, expressions, equations, and methods of manipulating them.
Methods of manipulation include simplifying, substituting, and solving.
Key Terminology
[edit | edit source]| Term | Definition | Part of Speech |
|---|---|---|
| Variable | A symbol used to represent a quantity that can change. Variables are numbers. | Noun |
| Expression | A representation of a quantity that uses numbers or variables, or the mathematical product of both. | Noun |
| Equation | A statement of equality using the symbol . The quantities on each side of the equal sign are the same a each other. | Noun |
| Solution | A value or values that make equations true. | Noun |
| Manipulate | Modify an expression or an equation in a way that changes what's written on the page. | Verb |
| Solve | Look for solutions | Verb |
| Simplify | Rewrite an expression as a less complicated expression | Verb |
| Substitute | Replace a value with another thing of equal value | Verb |
Variables and Expressions
[edit | edit source]Equations
[edit | edit source]A simple equation:
2a+3b+c = 0
This equation has 3 variables (a,b and c);; 3 terms (2a, 3b and c);; and this equation is an equality, because here is an equal sign (=) between both sides of the equation.
Next: solution to a simple algebra problem. Solve the following equation for (a):
- -- - - - - - - - - Some trig stuff:
sin ɵ = Opposite-Side/Hypotenuse
cos ɵ = Adjacent-Side/Hypotenuse
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