Solving equations

Finding solutions to algebraic relationships is a much required skill in chemistry. The common feature of equations is the equals sign, although the precise meaning of this symbol is perhaps not as widely understood as might be presumed. For our purposes, it will be sufficient to realise that if we have an expression containing an equals sign relating a set of variables and constants, we can determine the value of a single unknown quantity by algebraic manipulation. It may be useful to review the previous article on rearranging equations that underpins these techniques.

The equations with which students need to be familiar can essentially be divided into three types: linear equations of a variable; linear equations of a function of a variable; and quadratic equations.