2006-12-06 10:11:49 · 15 answers · asked by Kevin G 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
= sign between two sides balance each other...so if u add something at only one side the equation will be imbalanced.....
2006-12-06 10:16:35 · answer #1 · answered by niel_alinda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep things equal on both sides of the equation.
Example:
x = x --- Add 1 to both sides...
x + 1 = x + 1 --- The equation is still true...
3x - 5 = 13
(3x - 5) + 5 = (13) + 5 --- This means that the equation is still true...
3x + 0 = 18 or 3x = 18 --- Divide both sides by 3
(3x) / 3 = (18) / 3
x = 6
2006-12-06 18:47:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because that would make the equation no longer true.
Take the equation 2^2 = 4. This equation is true. If we add five to both sides...
2^2 + 5 = 4 + 5
9=9
...The equation remains true. If you add it to only one side:
2^2 = 4+5
4=9
The equation is no longer true and, in the case of solving for a variable, you will get a wrong answer.
2006-12-06 18:14:51 · answer #3 · answered by Lucan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its to make things equal, it is an EQUAtion after all ;)
So what you're doing is saying, its still equal if i add 5 to both sides. So you do that, and end up with
3x - 5 +5 = 13 +5
the -5+5 cancels out, and simplifies to 3x=18
you can then solve for x by dividing both sides by 3
3x/3 = 18/3
the 3's cancel out and you're left with x =18/3, or 6.
2006-12-06 18:14:50 · answer #4 · answered by recneps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My math teacher told me that whatever you do to one side, you have to do to the other to balance it out. You can't just add it randomly whenever you feel like, otherwise you are changing the identity of the problem. To get rid of the -5, you need to add five. Then, you do the same thing to the other side so that you aren't creating a new problem.
2006-12-06 18:20:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the equation. It is an expression of an equality. So in order to keep it "balanced," you have to do the same operations on both sides.
2006-12-06 18:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To keep things balanced. Start with a trivial case: 0 = 0. The equation remains true if you add anything whatever to either side -- as long as you add it to the other side also.
2006-12-06 18:15:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE. If you dont balance the equation by adding 5 to both sides, then its like you taking rules into your own hands and saying why not just add 10?
2006-12-06 18:16:14 · answer #8 · answered by Regenerit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because, according to the equation, sides are equal. To keep them equal you have to add the SAME amount to both sides.
2006-12-06 18:16:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
whenever you do an equation you have to do the same thing to both sides. the equal sign means that the two things are equivalent, so they are only equivalent if you do the same thing to both sides
2006-12-06 18:20:18 · answer #10 · answered by abbyroad411 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋