The 2's are shown to indicate that 2 is being added to both sides of the equation. Similarly, the 3's indicate that each side is being divided by 3.Tregg Smith said:I'm brushing up on algebra. In the second line what are these +2's for ? I couldn't get all the columns to line up. BTW does anybody know any software for writing down math problems that solves this alignment problem?
Solving first-degree equations
3x-2=16
+2 +2 what are these +2's ?
3x=18
3x = 18
3 3
x=6
A first degree equation is an algebraic equation that contains one variable raised to the first power, with constants and coefficients. It can be written in the form ax + b = 0, where a and b are constants and x is the variable.
To solve a first degree equation, you need to isolate the variable on one side of the equal sign. This can be done by using inverse operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The goal is to get the variable by itself on one side of the equation and a numerical value on the other side.
The steps for solving a first degree equation are:
Yes, a first degree equation can have more than one solution. This happens when the variable can take on multiple values that make the equation true. For example, the equation 2x + 4 = 12 has the solutions x = 4 and x = 8.
First degree equations are used in a variety of real-life situations, such as calculating distances, rates, and prices. They are also used in solving problems related to time, money, and proportions. For example, a first degree equation can be used to calculate the cost of buying a certain number of items at a given price.