Equations and Inequalities

Equation

A mathematical sentence that includes an equals sign to compare two expressions.

Equivalent Expressions

Expressions that always have the same value.

True equation

Has equal values on each side of the equals sign.

False equation

Has values that do not equal each other on each side of the equals sign.

Open sentence

An equation with one or more variables. (ex 2x = 16)

Solution of an equation

A value of the variable that makes the equation true.

Equivalent equations

Equations that always have exactly the same solution.

Inverse operations

Operations that undo each other. Addition and subtraction are inverse operations. Multiplication and division are inverse operations.

Inequality

A mathematical sentence that uses < (less than), ≤ (less than or equal to), > (greater than), ≥ (greater than or equal to), or≠ (not equal to) to compare two quantities.

Solution of an inequality

The values of the variable that make the inequality true.