Linear Equations
An equation consists of two expressions set equal to each other. To solve an equation means to find the number that makes the equation a true statement.
The set of all solutions for an equation makes up its solution set.
There are three types of equations:
Identity Equations: An equation is classified as an identity when it is true for ALL real numbers for which both sides of the equation are defined.
Example: 2x - 1 = -1 + 2x
Conditional Equations: A conditional equation is an equation that is not an identity, but has at least one real number solution.
Example: 3x + 5 = x - 7
Inconsistent Equations: An inconsistent equation is an equation with one variable that has no solution.
Example: 2x + 5 – x = x + 7
Any two equations with the same domain and the same solution set are equivalent equations.
Equations are classified according to the degree of the variables
Linear Equation: An equation that can be written in the form of ax + b = 0 where a and b are constants
Note that the exponent on the variable of a linear equation is always 1.
Find out more about linear equations by reading the explanation below.
Practice: Answer the exercise below to solve linear equations.