because you just do!
Even if you keep the decimal, later on you will still have to remove it. It is just an easier way to solve the equation.
It makes it allot less confusing. But, that is just my opinion.
No, it isn't "essential", but it's often quite convenient.
To make them look more familiar and approachable to beginning algebra students. It's completely unnecessary with the advent of calculators though.
Multiply both sides of each linear equation by a power of 10 that is sufficiently large to clear the decimal. Example: 0.34x = 13.6. There are two places to the right of the decimal point, on the left side; there is one place to the right of the decimal point, on the right side. If you multiply both sides by 100, you get 34x = 1,360. That result clears all decimals, and you might find it easier to solve. You don't have to do that, but many will say that that makes it easier for them.
There is absolutely no REQUIREMENT to do so. It is simply that many people prefer to work with whole numbers.
A linear equation can be recognized by its standard form, which is typically written as ( ax + by = c ), where ( a ), ( b ), and ( c ) are constants, and ( x ) and ( y ) are variables. The highest power of the variables in a linear equation is one, meaning there are no squared or higher-degree terms. Additionally, when graphed, a linear equation produces a straight line. If the equation can be rearranged into the form ( y = mx + b ), where ( m ) is the slope and ( b ) is the y-intercept, it is also a clear indicator of linearity.
Multiply every term in the equation by a common denominator of all the fractions. The least common denominator (if different) will result in smaller numbers that you then have to work with but it is not essential that you use it.
To clear decimals in an inequality, multiply every term in the inequality by a power of ten that eliminates the decimal points. For example, if the inequality is 0.5x < 1.2, you would multiply all terms by 10 to get 5x < 12. After multiplying, ensure the direction of the inequality remains the same, and proceed to solve the inequality as you normally would.
The substitution method is often better than graphing for solving a system of linear equations when the equations are more complex or when the coefficients are not easily manageable for graphing. It is particularly advantageous when at least one equation can be easily solved for one variable, allowing for straightforward substitution. Additionally, substitution is more precise for finding exact solutions, especially when dealing with fractions or irrational numbers, where graphing may yield less accurate results. Finally, when the system has no clear intersection point or consists of more than two equations, substitution can simplify the process significantly.
The equation (y = mx + b) (note the correct notation for the y-intercept is (b), not (n)) represents the slope-intercept form of a linear equation, where (m) denotes the slope and (b) the y-intercept. It was developed to describe the relationship between two variables in a linear manner, allowing for easy graphing and analysis of linear relationships. This format simplifies calculations and provides a clear understanding of how changes in (x) affect (y). The equation is foundational in algebra and is widely used in various fields, such as economics and physics, to model relationships.
The question is not that clear but the 2 decimals could be 18.70 or 18.700 now having 2-3 zeros.