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A single equation with two variables can be solved for one of the variables, in terms of the other. For example, a rectangle's area is A = wh (width x height). Now let's assume you know the area: 20 = wh. You can solve for any of these variables in terms of the other, for example, w = 20/h. That is, once you assign a value to "h", you can calculate "w". But you don't know the specific values for "w" and "h", because the equation has an infinite number of solutions.

If you want to know specific values for the variables, in general, you need two different equations with 2 variables - or 3 equations with 3 variables, etc.

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Q: How do you solve an equation with 2 unknowns that equal the same?
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Solve the equation for two less than four times the number is equal to two more than three times the same number?

4/7


What is the property that you can subtract the same number from both sides of an equation the new equation will have the same solution?

The property is: If equals are subtracted from equals, the results are equal.


Why is it important to keep both sides of the equation equal?

If both sides of an equation are not equal, it won't be an equation any more! In solving equations, the strategy is to change both sides in the same way, so that an 'equivalent' equation is produced. An equivalent equation has the same solution as the original equation. You are aiming for an equation in which the variable is alone on one side. The quantity on the other side is the solution.


When solving an equation why is it necessary to perform the same operation on each side of the equals sign?

If two things are equal (as implied by the equals sign), then if you do something to one of those things (one side of the equal sign), unless you do the same to the other thing (the other side of the equals sign), then the two things will no longer be equal. Thus when solving, if you do not so the same to both sides, the sides will no longer be equal to each other and you will not solve the problem correctly.


How can you solve an equation to get an equivalent equation?

In general, if you apply the same operation to both sides of an equation, you get an equivalent equation - at least if you do simple things like adding, subtracting, multiplying by a non-zero number, and dividing by some number.

Related questions

Is x plus y equals 0 an equation?

Yes it is. First of all, you have variables and an equal sign(hence the term "equation"). The equation can be dissected with simple common sense. X and Y must be the same number, but with opposing signs( + OR - ). If looking for a broader answer, a second equation is required because two equations solve two unknowns.


Will you answer my math question -3 is a solution of y equals 4 - 3x?

You have one equation in two unknowns. There is no solution possible without a second (independent) equation in the same two unknowns.


What have I done wrong in my simultaneous equation if I end up with x equals x?

You have used an equation which is actually the same and tried to use that to solve for your two unknowns. The two equations must be different - you should not be able to transpose one to be equal to another, so therefore if you graphed the two equations for example on the number plane they would be different graphs. The point(s) of intersection would be your solutions.


Do you solve an expression the same way you solve an equation?

If we are talking about the algebraic expressions, then an expression can be simplified or be evaluated for specific values of its variables, while an equation need to be solved, in other words to find the values of the variables that make the equation a true statement. If we are solving an equation, then we can work in the same way that we can simplify an expression (since an equation is a statement that states that two expressions are equal), or factoring an expression.


Whats the difference between a linear equation and a system of linear equations?

Quite simply, the latter is a group of the former.A system of linear equations is several linear equations taken together, each using the same group of unknowns. Usually, such a system provides one linear equation for each unknown (x, y, z, et al) that must be found (more complex systems can exist, though). You can use and manipulate these linear equations as you would a single linear equation to help solve for the unknowns. One way is to reduce all but one of the unknowns so that each can be expressed in terms of the remaining unknown and then solve for the remaining unknown which would in turn give you the others.


How do you solve this z squared minus 12 plus 36?

z2 - 12 + 36 is the same as z2 + 24. That's a simplification, but not a solution. There's nothing to solve, because the question doesn't give an equation. If z2+24 were equal to something, then we'd have an equation, and we would be thrilled to solve it for the value of 'z'.


Solve the equation for two less than four times the number is equal to two more than three times the same number?

4/7


How do you solve an equation with a variable that is a fraction?

You solve the equation the same way as you would any other equation. Whether the variable is a fraction or otherwise will only become clear once you solve the equation. In other words, you don't initially KNOW whether the solution will be a fraction or not.


Why does 3 equal x?

The number 3 equals x when it has the same value in an equation. This is used to help solve a specific problem in math where certain variables are unknown.


How a equation look?

An equation must have an equal (=) sign and both side are the same, that is, equal to each other.


What mathematical equation matches these wordsWhat mathematical equation matches these words Four times an unknown number added to eight times an unknown number equals thirty-six?

If they are two different unknowns then it is: 4x+8y = 36 If they are the same unknowns then it is: 4x+8x = 36 in which x works out as 3


Can you solve an integer equation by adding the same number to each side?

NO!