Sunday, October 26, 2008

Solving Equations

Use inverse when isilating a variable. Addition, sutraction and so are mutiplication, division inverse operations.

Step 1. We are trying to get the variable by itself.

Step 2. What ever you do to the first number you do to the second.

For example: 2 + n = 8 you need to find what is being done to the variable.
2 -2 + n= 8 -2 this is the inverse operation.
n = 6
check 2 + n = 8 rewrite the problem
2 + 6 = 8 rewrite the problem with the variable
6 =6 simplify
n = 6 is the answer
When this done through mutiplication it is done the same but not the same format for division problems.

For example: 6 * T = 12
_______
6 6
T =2

Check: 6 * T= 12
6 * 2 = 12
2 = 2
T = 2

Here is a fun worksheet to test your new found skill: http://www.kutasoftware.com/PreAlgWorksheets/Evaluating%20Variable%20Expressions.pdf