Equivalent Expressions

 


Table

If you like using tables and graphs, then this would be a good method to use in order to test to see if expressions are equivalent.

Learn how to use the table in order to test equivalency. Once the table of values has been made, both tables can be graphed. If the graphs are the same, then the expressions are equivalent. We will just focus on testing the values in a table.

When given two expressions, such as, 5x + 10 and 5(x + 2), the way to test their equivalency is to make two tables of values:

5x + 10
X Y
-2 5(-2) + 10 = 0
-1 5(-1) + 10 = 5
0 5(0) + 10 = 10
1 5(1) + 10 = 15
2 5(2) + 10 = 20
5(x + 2)
X Y
-2 5[(-2) + 2] = 0
-1 5[(-1) + 2] = 5
0 5[(0) + 2] = 10
1 5[(1) + 2] = 15
2 5[(2) + 2] = 20

                                        

Since the x and y values are the same for both tables, the expressions are equivalent.

Practice it