Questions: What does an equation have that an algebraic expression does not?
Transcript text: What does an equation have that an algebraic expression does not?
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding the Difference Between an Equation and an Expression
An equation is a mathematical statement that asserts the equality of two expressions, typically written in the form \( A = B \). It contains an equal sign \( = \), which signifies that the expressions on either side are equal.
Step 2: Identifying the Key Component of an Equation
The key component that distinguishes an equation from an algebraic expression is the presence of the equal sign \( = \). An algebraic expression, on the other hand, does not have an equal sign and is simply a combination of variables, numbers, and operations (e.g., \( 3x + 5 \)).
Step 3: Conclusion
Therefore, an equation has an equal sign \( = \), which an algebraic expression does not. This equal sign is what allows us to solve for unknown variables in the equation.
Final Answer
An equation has an equal sign \( = \), which an algebraic expression does not.