Question

Why can the value of the variable a in the expression a + 2 be any number?

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Because the expression is not an equation

(b) Because the expression is an equation

Step-by-step explanation:

Solving (a): a + 2

The above expression can assume any value for a because it is not an equation.

Take for instance:

a = 2;

$a + 2 \to 2 + 2 = 4$

$a =-4$

$a + 2 \to -4 + 2 = -2$

The reason for this is because the expression is not an equation

Solving (b): $b + 2 = 5$

The above expression can assume only value for b, and the value is:

$b + 2 = 5$

$b = 5-2$

$b =3$

This means that only $b =3$ will make the equation true.

The reason for this is because the expression is an equation