Identifying the Variables and Constants

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 145 views

Understanding the Problem

When dealing with algebraic expressions, it's often necessary to rewrite them in a different form to simplify or solve equations. In this case, we're given an expression with variables and constants, and we need to rewrite it in an equivalent form. The given expression is:

${ 15a - 20 + 10a = 5(\square a - \square) }$

Our goal is to rewrite this expression in a way that makes it easier to work with.

Identifying the Variables and Constants

Before we start rewriting the expression, let's identify the variables and constants involved. In this case, the variable is a, and the constants are 15, -20, and 10.

Distributing the 5

To rewrite the expression, let's start by distributing the 5 to the terms inside the parentheses. This will give us:

${ 15a - 20 + 10a = 5a - 5 }$

Combining Like Terms

Now that we have distributed the 5, let's combine the like terms on the left-hand side of the equation. The like terms are the terms with the variable a. Combining these terms gives us:

${ 25a - 20 = 5a - 5 }$

Isolating the Variable

Our next step is to isolate the variable a on one side of the equation. To do this, let's add 20 to both sides of the equation:

${ 25a = 5a - 5 + 20 }$

Simplifying the Right-Hand Side

Now that we have added 20 to both sides, let's simplify the right-hand side of the equation. Combining the constants gives us:

${ 25a = 5a + 15 }$

Isolating the Variable (Again)

Our next step is to isolate the variable a on one side of the equation. To do this, let's subtract 5a from both sides of the equation:

${ 20a = 15 }$

Solving for a

Finally, let's solve for a by dividing both sides of the equation by 20:

${ a = \frac{15}{20} }$

Simplifying the Fraction

The fraction \frac{15}{20} can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 5. This gives us:

${ a = \frac{3}{4} }$

Conclusion

In this article, we have rewritten the given expression in an equivalent form. We started by distributing the 5 to the terms inside the parentheses, then combined like terms, isolated the variable, and finally solved for a. The resulting expression is:

${ a = \frac{3}{4} }$

This is the equivalent expression we were looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an equivalent expression? An equivalent expression is an expression that has the same value as another expression, but is written in a different form.
How do I rewrite an expression in an equivalent form? To rewrite an expression in an equivalent form, you can use various techniques such as distributing, combining like terms, and isolating the variable.
What is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers? The GCD of two numbers is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.

Additional Resources

For more information on algebraic expressions, see the article "Algebraic Expressions: A Comprehensive Guide".
For more information on solving equations, see the article "Solving Equations: A Step-by-Step Guide".
For more information on fractions, see the article "Fractions: A Comprehensive Guide".

Understanding the Problem

${ 15a - 20 + 10a = 5(\square a - \square) }$

Our goal is to rewrite this expression in a way that makes it easier to work with.

Q&A: Write an Equivalent Expression

Q: What is an equivalent expression?

A: An equivalent expression is an expression that has the same value as another expression, but is written in a different form.

Q: How do I rewrite an expression in an equivalent form?

A: To rewrite an expression in an equivalent form, you can use various techniques such as distributing, combining like terms, and isolating the variable.

Q: What is the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers?

A: The GCD of two numbers is the largest number that divides both numbers without leaving a remainder.

Q: How do I simplify a fraction?

A: To simplify a fraction, you can divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor.

Q: What is the difference between a variable and a constant?

A: A variable is a letter or symbol that represents a value that can change, while a constant is a value that does not change.

Q: How do I combine like terms?

A: To combine like terms, you can add or subtract the coefficients of the terms with the same variable.

Q: What is the distributive property?

A: The distributive property is a rule that states that a single term can be distributed to multiple terms inside parentheses.

Q: How do I isolate a variable?

A: To isolate a variable, you can add or subtract the same value to both sides of the equation, or multiply or divide both sides by the same value.

Q: What is the order of operations?

A: The order of operations is a set of rules that tells you which operations to perform first when working with expressions that involve multiple operations.

Q: How do I evaluate an expression?

A: To evaluate an expression, you can follow the order of operations and perform the operations in the correct order.

Real-World Applications

Algebraic expressions are used in a wide range of real-world applications, including physics, engineering, economics, and computer science.
Equivalent expressions are used to simplify complex equations and make them easier to solve.
The distributive property is used to expand expressions and make them easier to work with.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to distribute the 5 to the terms inside the parentheses.
Not combining like terms.
Not isolating the variable.
Not simplifying the fraction.

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided a comprehensive guide to rewriting an expression in an equivalent form. We have covered the basics of algebraic expressions, including variables, constants, and like terms. We have also provided a step-by-step guide to rewriting an expression in an equivalent form, including distributing, combining like terms, and isolating the variable. Finally, we have provided a list of frequently asked questions and real-world applications to help you understand the importance of equivalent expressions.

Additional Resources

For more information on algebraic expressions, see the article "Algebraic Expressions: A Comprehensive Guide".
For more information on solving equations, see the article "Solving Equations: A Step-by-Step Guide".
For more information on fractions, see the article "Fractions: A Comprehensive Guide".