mike_flower
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- Joined
- Aug 23, 2019
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I think what was meant was maintaining equality while isolating the variable, which does involve the process of making balancing or equivalent changes to both sides of the equation. (I frequently explain the process in terms of an analogy to a physical balance.)Is it called balancing? Seems "balancing an equation" is used in chemistry. I would say "solving for n".
Isolating a Variable
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Alternatively, multiply both sides by 3 to clear fractions.The first step (since you asked how to get started) will be a subtraction.
I understand how the term makes sense in chemistry - knowing which molecules are on the left and right sides we balance the equation by calculating the number of molecules so that the number of atoms is the same.I think what was meant was maintaining equality while isolating the variable, which does involve the process of making balancing or equivalent changes to both sides of the equation. (I frequently explain the process in terms of an analogy to a physical balance.)
Valid equations are balanced by definition. Changes to a valid equation are not balanced by definition. One must ensure that the changes to each side of a valid equation are balanced in order to ensure that the resulting equation remains valid.I understand how the term makes sense in chemistry - knowing which molecules are on the left and right sides we balance the equation by calculating the number of molecules so that the number of atoms is the same.
But in math the equation is already balanced by definition.