could someone help me please this is my first time with algebra.

what is the difference between an equation & an expression? thanks

This site has excellent explanations of both terms.

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an equation is an expression or a proposition, often algebraic, asserting the equality of two quantities and an expression is a symbol or a combination of symbols representing a value, relation, or the like.

show me how to work 9(3-2)+3(5+8)

Of course, I can definitely help you understand the difference between an equation and an expression in algebra!

An expression is a mathematical phrase that contains variables, numbers, and mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It represents a quantity or a value that can change. Expressions do not have an equal sign (=) and, therefore, they do not make a statement. For example:

5x + 2

In this expression, "x" is the variable, "5" and "2" are constants, and "+" represents the addition operation.

On the other hand, an equation is a mathematical statement that states that two expressions are equal. It contains an equal sign (=) and represents a balance or equality between the values on both sides of the equation. Equations are used to solve for unknowns or variables. For example:

3x - 2 = 10

This equation states that the value of 3 times "x" minus 2 is equal to 10. The goal is to find the value of "x" that satisfies this equation.

To summarize:

Expression: A mathematical phrase that does not have an equal sign (=). It can contain variables, numbers, and mathematical operations.

Equation: A mathematical statement that has an equal sign (=). It represents a balance or equality between the values on both sides of the equation.