Equations

What is an equation? An equations says that two things are equal, it will always have an equal sign.
In fact, solving an equation is just like solving a puzzle. And like puzzles, there are things you can (and cannot) do. Here are some things you can do:

• Clear out any fractions by Multiplying every term by the bottom parts.
• Add or Subtract the same value from both sides.
• Divide every term by the same nonzero value.
• Combine Like Terms
• Factoring
• Expanding (the opposite of factoring) may also help
• Sometimes you can apply a function to both sides (e.g. square both sides).
• Recognizing a pattern you have seen before, like the difference of squares

And the more "tricks" and techniques you learn the better you will get. 

After solving, you should always check that your solution really is a solution.

If you want to practice, here you have some activities:

1. Does x satisfy the equation?
2. Solve one-step linear equations.
3. Solve two-step linear equations.
4. Solve multi-step equations.
5. Solve equations involving like-terms.

To end up, you can relax with these games about math vocabulary and equations solving: practice your math vocabulary with an equation puzzle or solve one-step equations and two-step equations.

Take care.

ALICIA