Equivalent linear algebraic expressions

Not equivalent expressions

If the two expressions were not equal for a value of t then they would not be equivalent.

For example, 2 − 3t is not equivalent to 3t − 2.

Let t = 1,

then 2 − 3t = 2 − 3 = −1

and 3t − 2 = 1

2 − 3t is not equal to 3t − 2 when t = 1.

But if t = \(\dfrac{2}{3}\)

then 2 − 3t = 0

and 3t − 2 = 0. (Try this.)

So the expression 2 − 3t is not equivalent to the expression 3t − 2 because they are not equal for all values.