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That depends on what kind of equation it is. If you can't solve "x = 42", then I'm really not sure that we can help you. Quadratics are more complicated, and cubic equations are more complicated than that. Then there are exponential and logarithmic equations.

Basically you need to tell us what kind of equation it is before we can give you better advice than "read a mathematics textbook."

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7y ago
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7y ago

For the simplest equations, you try to "isolate" the variable, meaning that you try to separate the variable from anything that is not the variable. You do this by carrying out THE SAME OPERATION ON BOTH SIDES of the equation.Here is an example:

x + 2 = 5

To have the "x" alone, you need to get rid of the 2 - so you subtract 2 on each side in this case. This gives you:

x + 2 - 2 = 5 - 2

or:

x + 0 = 3

or:

x = 3

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Can you solve for a variable in an equation?

Sure. You can always 'solve for' a variable, and if it happens to be the only variable in the equation, than that's how you solve the equation.


Can you solve for a variable in an expression or equation?

you can only solve for one in an equation so it can equal something


Can you solve a variable with an equation?

When an equation has a variable in it (only one), then there are only certainvalues the variable can have that will make the equation a true statement."Solving" the equation means finding those values for the variable.


What is the math term VEST?

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How does writing equivalent equations help you solve a system of equations?

You can write an equivalent equation from a selected equation in the system of equations to isolate a variable. You can then take that variable and substitute it into the other equations. Then you will have a system of equations with one less equation and one less variable and it will be simpler to solve.


What number when substituded for the variable in an equation makes the equation true?

you have to solve the actual equation in order to answer this about your variable


How do you use different techniques to solve linear equations?

There are several techniques to solve linear equations. One common technique is the elimination method, where you eliminate one variable by adding or subtracting equations. Another technique is substitution, where you solve one equation for a variable and substitute it into the other equation. You can also use matrices and row operations to solve linear equations.


When using the substitution to solve nonlinear system of equations you should first see if you can one variable if you can one variable in one of the equation in the system?

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Assuming the simplest case of two equations in two variable: solve one of the equations for one of the variables. Substitute the value found for the variable in all places in which the variable appears in the second equation. Solve the resulting equation. This will give you the value of one of the variables. Finally, replace this value in one of the original equations, and solve, to find the other variable.


How do you solve for the indicated variable?

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Can you solve for a variable in an expression?

No, you can only simplify an expression. To solve for a variable, it must be in an equation.


What is an equation with one or two variables?

When you solve a one-variable equation, your goal is to isolate the variable.To isolate the variable means to make it be alone on one side of the equals sign.In the equation shown here, you can isolate the variable by subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation and simplifying