Solving equations is another concept. http://mathworld.wolfram.com/search/. Search for: solving equations. This brings up the relevant page. We get a lot of heavy stuff here. One statement is: “Separation of variables is a method of solving ordinary and partial differential equations.”  Another statement is: “Stationary Iterative Method -- from Math World. Stationary iterative methods are methods for solving a linear system of equations.”

 

We are not going to talk about this complicated stuff. However, we know from reading this that one way is the algebraic approach, separation of variables. The other way is the approach which requires a calculator, which one can briefly mention. Tell the students there are other ways of solving equations which require calculators which will not be discussed. This then gives them the full and correct picture.

 

You do not have to read and understand all the advanced stuff. Just glance through the headings to get a feel of what things are about. What are important are the first lines of the discussions, the introductory lines. These help us understand.