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In this activity, we will look at equations with two unknowns.
a and b stand for two numbers, which could be different or the same.
Look at this equation.
a + b = 8
It tells you that a added to b is 8.
We are looking for any two numbers that add to 8 in order to satisfy (fit) the equation.
If a is 6, b will be 2.
If a = 2, b = 6
If a = 4½, b = 3½
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Example
a - b = 7
Which of these solutions satisfy the equation?
a = 7, b = 0
a = 0, b = 7
a = 10, b = 3
a = 10¾, b = 3¾
Answer
Put the given pairs into the equation to see if a - b is 7 or not.
| a = 7, b = 0 | fits because 7 - 0 = 7 |
| a = 0, b = 7 | does not fit because 0 - 7 = -7 (not 7) |
| a = 10, b = 3 | fits because 10 - 3 = 7 |
| a = 10¾, b = 3¾ | fits because 10¾ - 3¾ = 7 |
