Question

Why can the value of the variable a in the expression a + 2 be any number?

Why does the variable b in the equation 6 + 2 = 5 have only one value?


Please help

Answer 1

(a) Because the expression is not an equation

(b) Because the expression is an equation

Explanation:

Solving (a): a + 2

The above expression can assume any value for a because it is not an equation.

Take for instance:

a = 2;

`a + 2 \to 2 + 2 = 4`

`a =-4`

`a + 2 \to -4 + 2 = -2`

The reason for this is because the expression is not an equation

Solving (b):
`b + 2 = 5`

The above expression can assume only value for b, and the value is:

`b + 2 = 5`

`b = 5-2`

`b =3`

This means that only
`b =3` will make the equation true.

The reason for this is because the expression is an equation