1.1 Solving Equations

An equation is a **__mathematical sentence that uses the equal sign = to show two expressions are equivalent__**. The expressions __can be numbers, variables, constants, or combinations thereof__. There are many ways to solve an equation. One way is by using a method called guess-and-check. A guess-and-check method involves **__guessing a value for the variable in an equation and checking to see if it is the solution by substituting the value in the equation__**. If the **__resulting equation is a true statement, then the value you guessed is the solution of the equation__**. If the equation is **__not a true statement, then you adjust the value of your guess and try again, continuing until you find the solution__**. Another way to solve an equation is by working backward. In this method, **__you begin at the end and work backward toward the beginning__**.

A solution of an equation is **__a value for the variable that makes the equation true__**. To determine the solution of an equation, you will use the **__Properties of Equality__**.

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**__In this image, you will see how different mathematical operations are used to undo or evaluate each other. (WHY? you will want to solve for a variable by getting it by itself)__**

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