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Year 11 Higher · Equations and formulae

Turn a situation into an equation and solve it

Definition

An equation says two things are equal. Solving it means finding the value of the letter that makes the equation true, by keeping both sides balanced as you simplify.

Why Do I Have to Learn This?

Solving an equation is detective work: finding the mystery number that makes both sides balance. It is the skill behind almost all later maths.

Key Rules:

1. Whatever you do to one side, do to the other, it stays balanced.
2. Undo operations in reverse order to peel the letter free.
3. Aim to get the letter alone on one side.

Remember:

•Do the same thing to both sides, changing only one side breaks the balance.
•Adding/subtracting first, then multiplying/dividing, usually untangles it fastest.
•Check your answer by substituting it back into the original equation.

Key Words:

Equation

A statement that two things are equal, with something to find.

y − 3 = 10 is an equation, and y = 13.