Make It True

Make It True is a web application to practice fundamental algebra procedures used when manipulating equations. The application generates arbitrary equations containing 1-4 variables. It is for the student to provide values for these variables which make the equation true.

For example, in the screenshot above the equation is: 18-64-c*d=4. The student must choose values for c and d which result in a true statement. One approach would be to solve for the product "c*d" and then choose 2 numbers whose product satisfies what's needed. Like this:

18-64-c*d=4
18-64-4=c*d
c*d=-50

Then the student could pick any two numbers with product of -50, like c=-25 and d=2.

Another approach would be to pick any number for c, then express d in terms of that number. For example, if the student arbitrarily chose c=13 then:
18-64-c*d=4
18-64-13*d=4
d=(4-18+64)/(-13)