Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016
BI
Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016 View details
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Exercise 16 Page 47

What does an equation really mean?

See solution.

Practice makes perfect

When an equation is reduced to the number=number form, the solution to the equation does not depend on its variables. It means the equation works for any value of the variable. This happens when we have the same expression or quantity on both sides. For example: 0=0 or 2x=2x. These are completely true regardless of our choice of x. There is no difference in terms of validity between 0=0 and 2x=2x. When we have this case, we say that there are infinitely many solutions because any value for the variable will work.