Algebraic Expressions and Equations

An algebraic expression is a combination of constants and variables connected by mathematical operations without an equals sign. A linear equation is an equality statement containing an algebraic expression where the highest power of the variable is one. Solving an equation means finding the specific value of the variable that makes the equality true.

ax + b = c

Worked examples

• • Confusing an algebraic expression with an equation by adding an equals sign randomly.
• • Thinking that any equation with a variable is automatically a linear equation regardless of the exponent.