An algebraic equation is a mathematical statement in which both sides of the equal signs, when calculated, are supposed to result in the same figure.
For example:
4a + 2a = 6
In the above algebraic equation, the left and right of the equal sign are equal – thus, there is an equal sign between them.
The word “equation” comes from “equal.”
So therefore, an algebraic equation is a statement of equality.
Usually, in an equation such as the one above, the “a” represents an unknown number.
We call a the “variable.”
Can you determine what “a” is?
Let’s do this.
4a really means 4 * a
and 2a means 2 * a
So then 4 * a + 2 * a = 6
Common sense will tell you that 4 * 1 + 2 *1 = 6, therefore a = 6.
However, there are prescribed steps to take when solving an algebraic equation.
So let’s break this down.
4a + 2a = 6
=
6a = 6
= 6 * a = 6
6 * x a = 6 is the same thing as a * 6 = 6
So, let’s move the number six on the right of the equal sign to the left of the equal sign.
When we move a number from one side of an equation to another, its value become the opposite.
That is, a – 6 would become a + 6, and a * 6 would become a /6
So 6 * a = 6 is the same thing as a= 6/6
6/6=1
Therefore a = 1