Question

BEST ANSWER GETS THE MEDAL

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

We say that x is a solution to an equation f(a) if f(x)=0. For example, say f(a)=3a^2 - 9. Then both x=3 and x=-3 are solutions to the equation.

Answer 2

Basically, in order for a number to be the "solution" to an equation, the equation can only be true if the variable is equal to that number. If you were to substitute a different number for the variable in the equation, then the two sides of the equation would not be equal.

If you were given the equation:

2(x + 7) = 18

then the only way on earth for the two sides for the equation to be equal (the left side equals the right side) is if the variable "x" were 2. If you were to substitute 2 for x, then the equation would be true, and if you were to substitute any other number, the equation would be false.
So 2 is the ONLY number that could replace "x" and keep the equation true, therefore 2 is the solution to this equation.

Sometime more than one number could be solutions to an equation (so there doesn't always have to be only one solution).

I don't get the medal got it from http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100712154246AAe7RzB

Answer 3

I CNT USE THAT CUZ MY TEACHER WROTE THAT ON YAHOO.COM !!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Answer 4

@R00nnYBraiNsbiG that's why you paraphrase it, in other words, put it in your own words.

Answer 5

yea

Answer 6

so i can put it in my own words