Problem 6 - Elementary Algebra Within Reach

Question

Decide which operation you would use first to solve the equation. $$p-1=0$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The first operation to solve the equation \(p-1=0\) is addition.

Step 1: Identify the operation needed to solve

The equation is \(p-1=0\). To isolate 'p' which is the objective here, the operation of addition needs to be performed.

Step 2: Perform the operation

Add 1 to both sides of the equation to keep it balanced. This will give: \(p-1+1=0+1\)

Step 3: Simplify the equation

Simplifying both sides of the equation, we get: \(p = 1\)

Key Concepts

Isolation of Variable

When solving linear equations, one of the fundamental goals is to isolate the variable. Isolating the variable means to get the variable all by itself on one side of the equation, and everything else on the other side. This is done by performing mathematical operations that will remove all numbers and other variables from the side of the equation with the variable you are solving for.

For instance, in the equation \(p-1=0\), 'p' is the variable we want to isolate. To isolate 'p', you need to eliminate any numbers or expressions that are on the same side of the equation as 'p'. This process often involves the addition or subtraction of terms on both sides of the equation, multiplication or division by a number, and sometimes more complex operations to deal with fractions or exponents.

In this simple example, the number '1' is subtracted from 'p', so to isolate 'p', we need to counteract this by performing the opposite operation: adding '1'. After execution, we are left with a simplified equation that clearly states the value of 'p' without any additional terms.

Balance Method

The balance method is a powerful strategy for solving linear equations and is based on the idea of maintaining equality. When you perform an operation on one side of an equation, the same operation must be performed on the other side to keep the equation balanced. Think of it like a scale in equilibrium; whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other to keep it level.

Applying the balance method is crucial because it ensures the equation remains truthful to its original form notwithstanding the changes made to isolate the variable. In our exercise, when we add '1' to both sides, we maintain the balance.

To visualize:

• If the equation is \(p-1=0\), and we add '1' to the left side to get rid of the negative one next to 'p',
• We also add '1' to the right side of the equation, resulting in \(p-1+1=0+1\).

Once both sides have been treated equally, the equation can be simplified to \(p=1\), preserving the balance throughout the process.

Addition Operation in Algebra

In algebra, the addition operation is used to combine like terms and to move terms from one side of an equation to the other in the pursuit of isolating a variable. The additive property of equality states that adding the same number to both sides of an equation will not change the equation's solution. This property is fundamental when solving linear equations.

In the context of our example, we use addition to eliminate the '-1' that is paired with the variable 'p'. By adding '1' to the '-1', we effectively cancel it out, since \-1+1=0\. Consequently, we are obliged to add '1' to the other side of \(p-1=0\), which results in \(0+1=1\). This step is pivotal because it directly leads to the isolation of the variable, leaving us with the final, simplified form \(p=1\), which clearly displays the solution.