An equation129 is a statement indicating that two algebraic expressions are equal. A linear equation with one variable130, x, is an equation that can be written in the standard form ax+b=0 where a and b are real numbers and a≠0. For example
3x−12=0
A solution131 to a linear equation is any value that can replace the variable to produce a true statement. The variable in the linear equation 3x−12=0 is x and the solution is x=4. To verify this, substitute the value 4 in for x and check that you obtain a true statement.
3x−12 =0 3(4)−12 =0 12−12 =0 0 =0 ✓
Alternatively, when an equation is equal to a constant, we may verify a solution by substituting the value in for the variable and showing that the result is equal to that constant. In this sense, we say that solutions “satisfy the equation.”
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An equation129 is a statement indicating that two algebraic expressions are equal. A linear equation with one variable130, x, is an equation that can be written in the standard form ax+b=0 where a and b are real numbers and a≠0. For example
3x−12=0
A solution131 to a linear equation is any value that can replace the variable to produce a true statement. The variable in the linear equation 3x−12=0 is x and the solution is x=4. To verify this, substitute the value 4 in for x and check that you obtain a true statement.
3x−12 =0 3(4)−12 =0 12−12 =0 0 =0 ✓
Alternatively, when an equation is equal to a constant, we may verify a solution by substituting the value in for the variable and showing that the result is equal to that constant. In this sense, we say that solutions “satisfy the equation.”