Equations: get Y by itself in 2y + 5= -1

[sponder]

2y + 5= -1

Since the object is to get Y by itself, would we start with subtracting 2 from both sides of the equation?

 

[Mrspi]

Re: Equations

2y + 5= -1

Since the object is to get Y by itself, would we start with subtracting 2 from both sides of the equation?

No....we want to get the term containing y by itself first. The term containing y is 2y. And 5 has been added to that term. Our first step will be to get rid of that " + 5" by subtracting 5 from both sides of the equation:

2y + 5 - 5 = -1 - 5

Now, combine like terms:

2y = -6

The term containing y is now by itself (isolated) on the left side. But we have 2y, and we want 1y or just y. So...we need to "undo" the multiplication by 2. The operation that "undoes" multiplication is division. Divide both sides by 2:

2y / 2 = -6 / 2

y = -3

Now, you can (and SHOULD) verify that the original equation is true when you substitute -3 for y.

I hope this helps you.