3.3+Equations

Section 3.3 - Equations

 * A Balanced Teeter-Totter or Seesaw**

An ** Equation **is a math problem with an equal sign in it. I realize that sounds fairly simple, and it is, but it is very important in algebra. The equals sign in an equation tells us quite a bit about the relationship between the various terms -- it says that whatever is on the left side of the equals sign is equal to, or has the same value, as whatever is on the right side. Both sides don't have to look the same, just have the same value. So in the image of the seesaw, two smaller kids could weigh the same as one larger one and make the seesaw balance.

6 + 7 = 13. We know that what is on one side is equal to the other, even if they don't quite look the same, or even if we have to do some math to prove it.

8 + 3 = 4 + 7 Again, we do math to show that it is true.

12 + 5 = 9 + X We don't initially know what amount the variable X represents, but through a process of addition or maybe subtraction, we can figure out that X must be 8 in order for the equation to be true.

Equations are true only if the value of one side is the same as the other. If you see a math problem with an equals sign in it, you can assume that it is true.

**Where to from here?**
3.1 Variables and Constants 3.2 Terms 3.3 Equations 3.4 Formulas 3.5 Solving for X 3.6 Two Unknown Relative Values Chapter Three Summary Chapter Three Homework