Math Review Algebra Using Letters When letters are
Math Review Algebra
Using Letters • When letters are used in math they are being mystery numbers • For example: • 2 + b = 10 • b stands for the number 8. We had to solve the problem to figure out what it was worth • This is not very hard because it only has one letter in the equation
What algebra can look like • Addition: 2 + b = 10 • Subtraction: 10 – 2 = b • Multiplication: 4 m = 20 o **** When multiplying in algebra they just put the number right against the letter. They don’t write the “x” sign for multiplication • Division: 20 / 4 += m
More challenging • Algebra becomes more challenging when there is more than one letter in the equation • For example: 2 a + 1 = y • We cannot solve this equation right now because there are two unknown numbers ( the a and the y) • We can solve it, though, if we are given a value (or number) to fill in for one of the letters. See next page.
Continued • Let’s use that same equation: 2 a + 1 =y • If I am told that a is worth 5 then I can solve the problem • That means 2 a is really 2 x 5 which equals 10 10 + 1 = 11. So y is equal to 11
Continued • Sometimes you are given a table that shows how the value of the letters can change. Let’s try the same equation and see how it could change. • For example: 2 a + 1 = y a 1 2 3 4 y
- Slides: 6