An equation is a mathematical statement that contains an equals sign (=) and two expressions on either side. The expressions can contain numbers, variables, and mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
A solution set is the set of all values that make an equation true when substituted into the variables. In other words, it is the set of all possible solutions to an equation.
To solve an equation, you need to isolate the variable on one side of the equals sign. This is done by using inverse operations, which are operations that undo each other. For example, if the variable is being multiplied by a number, you can divide both sides by that number to isolate the variable.
An equation contains an equals sign, while an inequality contains a greater than (>), less than (<), greater than or equal to (≥), or less than or equal to (≤) sign. Inequalities also have a range of solutions, while equations have a specific solution.
It is important to check your solutions after solving an equation to ensure that they satisfy the original equation. This helps to catch any potential errors made during the solving process and ensures the accuracy of the solution.