Equation – a math sentence that includes an equal sign

It can be solved

Variable –

Coefficient –

Constant –

Variable – a letter or symbol that represents some value or number

Coefficient – the number in front of the variable

Constant – a number by itself

What is the difference between an expression and an equation?

Solution – the answer to an equation

When finding the solution your goal is to isolate the given variable

(isolate means to get by itself)

Keep it, Change it, Opposite (KCO)

What you do to one side you must do to the other

Simplify first then start solving

We isolate the variable using:

Inverse Operations – operations that cancel each other out

Operation InverseAddition

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

Division

Multiplication by a fraction

Squaring (x2)

Square root (√x)

Cubing (x3)

Cube rooting ( )

Operation InverseAddition Subtraction

Addition Addition of the opposite

Subtraction Addition

Multiplication Division

Division Multiplication

Multiplication by a fraction

Multiply by the reciprocal

Squaring (x2) Square rooting (√x)

Square root (√x) Squaring (x2)

Cubing (x3) Cube rooting ( )

Cube rooting ( ) Cubing (x3)

1. Keep it, Change it, Opposite2. Simplify either/both sides of the

equation if needed*Distribute*Combine like terms

3. Move all constants to one side4. Move all variables to the

opposite side5. Solve