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A mathematical equation is an expression containing two mathematical objects connected by an equals sign (=) . The equals sign says that both sides are exactly equal, or of the same value. An equation can be as simple as \displaystyle{ x=0 }, or as complex as \displaystyle{ 4(3y^{99})+76=42+3x } or harder.

There are two kinds of mathematical equations:

• The kind of equation that is either true or false; these are also called identities. For example:

\displaystyle{ 2\cdot(x+4)=2x+8\rightarrow\text{true} }

• The kind of equation that is only true for certain values of the variable(s). The equation is only true if the variable(s) have that value. For example:

\displaystyle{ 2\cdot x=8\rightarrow x=4 }

The second kind is often used to solve problems in which finding the value of some variables is involved. For example, if

\displaystyle{ 2x=8 }, \displaystyle{ x=\frac82=4 }