26.2k views
1 vote
How do you know your answer is correct when solving algebraic equations? Use both math and words

2 Answers

5 votes
Alright, imagine you have a seesaw, and you want to make it balanced. On one side, you have your numbers and letters (that's the algebraic equation), and you want to do things to both sides to keep it balanced.

Mathematically, if you add, subtract, multiply, or divide the same thing on both sides of the equation, you're keeping the seesaw balanced. So, whatever you do to one side, you have to do the same to the other.

For example, if you have "2x = 6," and you want to know what x is, you can divide both sides by 2. So, you do "2x ÷ 2 = 6 ÷ 2." That way, the seesaw stays balanced, and you find out that x is 3.

In simple words, you're like a seesaw master making sure both sides are treated the same, so the answer is fair and square!
User JaneGoodall
by
7.6k points
4 votes

Answer:

When solving algebraic equations, there are several ways to verify that your answer is correct:

1. Substitute: One way to check your answer is by substituting the value you found back into the original equation. If the equation remains true after substitution, then your solution is correct. For example, if you solved the equation x + 2 = 7 and found that x = 5, you can substitute 5 back into the equation: 5 + 2 = 7. Since the equation is true, your solution is correct.

2. Solve the equation step by step: When solving an equation, you perform a series of operations to isolate the variable. Each step should maintain the equality of the equation. To ensure accuracy, it's crucial to double-check each step and make sure you applied the correct operations. This way, you can be confident that your final answer is correct.

3. Check your work: After solving the equation, you can check your work by performing the reverse operation. For example, if you solved the equation 3x + 4 = 19 and found that x = 5, you can check your work by substituting 5 back into the equation and ensuring that both sides of the equation are equal. In this case, you would have 3(5) + 4 = 19, which is true.

Remember, it's essential to be meticulous when solving algebraic equations and to double-check your work to ensure accuracy.

Explanation:

User Pujan
by
7.9k points