4 Writing and Solving Equations Free Online FlashCards

What does an equation state?

An equation states that two expressions have the same value.

What operation does “sum” or “increased by” signal?

It signals addition: “7 more than $x$” is written $x + 7$.

How do you keep an equation balanced while solving?

Apply the same operation to both sides to keep the equation balanced.

How do you undo addition in a one-step equation?

Subtract the same amount from both sides to undo addition.

In what order do you undo operations in a two-step equation?

Undo operations in reverse order: first addition or subtraction, then multiplication or division.

How can you check a proposed solution?

Substitute the solution into the original equation or statement and check that both sides have the same value.

How do you translate “5 less than a number”?

Write $x - 5$, not $5 - x$. The order matters in subtraction.

What operation do “product,” “times,” and “of” signal?

It signals multiplication. “3 times $x$” is written $3x$.

How do you translate “the quotient of a number and 4”?

Write $x/4$, or equivalently $\frac{x}{4}$. The order matters in division.

What symbol does the word “is” often signal in an equation?

It signals equality, so it connects the two sides with an equals sign.

Translate: “Three times a number, increased by 4, is 19.”

Let the number be $x$. The equation is $3x + 4 = 19$.

How do you undo multiplication in a one-step equation?

Divide both sides by the same nonzero number to undo multiplication.