Question

What does it mean for a number to be the "solution" to an equation? Give an example of a variable equation and its solution. Explain in complete sentences how you know that number is the solution.

Answer 1

A simple, linear equation can be 2 + x = 4. x is the variable and we are trying to find what the solution to the equation is. Obviously, it can't be anything else but 2, since 2+2 equals 4. The solution is therefore the number we need to assign to the variable for the left side to equal the right side. In this case, the left side is 2+2, which equals 4 and the right side is 4. Left side = Right side.