๐ What's an Expression?
An expression is like a phrase in math. It's a combination of numbers, variables, and operations (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) that doesn't have an equals sign. It shows you how to calculate something, but it doesn't tell you what it's equal to.
- โ A simple expression: $2 + 3$
- โ๏ธ A more complex expression: $4x - 7$
- โ Another example: $y \div 2 + 5$
๐งฎ What's an Equation?
An equation is like a complete sentence in math. It has an equals sign (=) that shows two expressions are equal. It tells you that one side of the equation has the same value as the other side.
- โ
A basic equation: $2 + 3 = 5$
- ๐ก An equation with a variable: $4x - 7 = 9$
- โ๏ธ Another example: $y \div 2 + 5 = 10$
๐ Expression vs. Equation: The Key Differences
Here's a table to clearly show the differences:
| Feature |
Expression |
Equation |
| Definition |
A combination of numbers, variables, and operations. |
A statement that two expressions are equal. |
| Equals Sign |
Does not have an equals sign. |
Has an equals sign (=). |
| Purpose |
To represent a value or a calculation. |
To show that two values are the same. |
| Example |
$3x + 5$ |
$3x + 5 = 14$ |
| Solution |
Cannot be solved; can only be simplified. |
Can be solved to find the value of the variable. |
๐ Key Takeaways
- ๐ Expressions are mathematical phrases without an equals sign.
- ๐ Equations are mathematical sentences with an equals sign.
- โ Equations can be solved, while expressions can only be simplified.