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My math teachers had no problem with '42 = x' vs 'x = 42' as long as the steps made sense to get there. In fact they'd probably comment that there was no need
by monocasa 4y ago
My math teachers had no problem with '42 = x' vs 'x = 42' as long as the steps made sense to get there. In fact they'd probably comment that there was no need to go with 'x = 42' if I obviously took a circuitous route simply to end up with x on the left side of the equation, as that would have demonstrated a lack of internalizing some of the base ideas of algebra and it's approach of equation symmetry.
- LudwigNagasena 4y agoYou should distinguish the meaning of = in mathematical and meta-mathematical statements. “42y = yx, therefore 42 = x” is fine; but “let 42 = x” is not.