I need help helping me understanding something.

[Krack]

Good evening. Please look at the following question below.

1250
5600 +-------- = 3200
8w + 2

When you work this equation out, the answer will be -0.315, but here is my question.

Why cant I transpose (8w +2) to multiply 3200 right away? It seems that I first have to take 3200 - 5600 and only then I can transpose 8w +2 into the product of the two previous numbers two start getting the final correct answer.

Is there are rule that you have to first eliminate all addition and subtraction first before you can transpose?

Thank you,

 

[tkhunny]

Please read my signature. This answers your question. Just don't make any mistakes, however you choose to proceed.

 

[mmm4444bot]

1250
5600 +-------- = 3200
8w + 2

If you want to "draw" ratios, you need to use the code tags at this site, to retain repeated spaces. Otherwise, your typing is garbage.

Here's how we type your equation as text:

5600 + 1250/(8w + 2) = 3200

When you work this equation out, the answer will be -0.315 …

No, it will not -- unless you have been instructed to round your answer to the nearest thousandth.

The exact answer is -121/384.

Why cant I transpose (8w +2) to multiply 3200 right away?

You're not using the word "transpose" correctly.

You're asking, "Why can't I multiply 3200 by 8w+2 right away."

You could, but you would need to multiply each side of the equation by 8w+2.

It's less work to isolate the ratio 1250/(8w+2) first, by subtracting 5600 from each side.

To properly multiply by 8w+2 first would look like this:

\(\displaystyle (8w + 2) \cdot 5600 + \dfrac{8w + 2}{1} \cdot \dfrac{1250}{8w + 2} = (8w + 2) \cdot 3200\)