Expressions & Equations

What you’ll learn

• Equivalent expressions have the same value for every replacement of the variable; use the distributive property and combine like terms to simplify.
• Equations set two expressions equal; solving means isolating the variable with inverse operations on both sides.
• Two-step equations undo addition or subtraction before undoing multiplication or division.
• When you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative number, reverse the inequality symbol.
• Word problems need a defined variable, a translated equation, and a sentence that interprets the solution in context.