What I Have Learned About Grade 9 Solving Equations
What is an equation?
an equation can be anything that is with an equal sign, for example this would be and equation 4x-7= 24
since there is an equal sign this question can be answered (= equal sign means solve!)
What are equivalent equations?
when you think of equivalent you think of equal and that’s exactly what this question is asking, equivalent equations are equal both sides and have the same value.
How to solve equations (find what x=?)
- visually with algebra tiles
there are so many ways to use algebra times and it helps o much with any equation you might be stuck on. Alebra tiles are super easy to use and a fun way to learn, you can slide the tiles over *depending on your question* and or using the legal moves and add the algebra tiles.
Algebraically
For algebraically its really important to know all the steps you are taking and doing because, if you mess up then the whole equation messes up and then you would have to re start! and that’s not good. so its important to the the first step and after your done you take the second step. Doing it algebraically is actually keeping things organized and you will be happy with what you end up in the end. This is a chance of not getting confused and messing up.
BFSD (brackets, fractions, sort, divide)
B– Brackets
When you get brackets on your equation you always want to get rid of that first. That’s step one
F– Fractions
If you have fractions or any ugly questions you want to deal with that second because then you will find out what the ugly equation actually meant.
S– Sorting
For the sorting stage would be step 3 we are almost there but just one more step after this one. When you got everything all figured out and there is nothing else left to do then you would use the legal moves and adding on this or subtracting
D– Divide
This last part is where you divide the two numbers and find what “X” is. Dividing plays a huge part in this solving equations unit because it comes in handy from time to time.
How to verify and check your answers?
when you got your answer and you found out what the “x” was then what ever equation you had before you insert the answer to where ever the “x” places are. And both sides should be equal to one an other. If they are not equal you may have done something wrong maybe miss placed the negative sign or positive (that’s some common mistakes us students do) so when you placed the “x” with the number you got, you would solve to get the right answers
Vocabulary
Equation: Has to have an equal sign
Equivalent: When two numbers are equal to each other
Solution: The end of the equation (answer)
Coefficient: Its the number before the letter/ variable “2x” and the number 2 would be the coefficient
Zero Pairs: Zero pairs is where you add or subtract numbers or variables from both sides
Variable: A variable is the letter in the equations, there can actually be multiple variables depending on the question. For example 2n+5=13 the variable in this equation would be *n*
Constant: Constant is the number that has nothing attached to it. it usually at the end of the equation and sometimes can be the middle
Common Denominator: Common denominator is usually used in fractions, you would use the common denominator when the bottom numbers are the same. Easiest way to use them is to multiply both the bottom numbers together to get your common denominator.
Distribute: This is used in multiplication you would use distributive property when you have brackets and one number outside the brackets, this way it can make the number smaller
what are legal moves and zero pairs?
legal moves and zero pairs only happen when what ever you do to one side you will have to do to the other. If you add a number to one side then the other side has to be the same thing, so you would add a number on the other side. That’s the big golden rule!