Expert: Cindy Myers - 10/21/2004

Question
SOLVE FOR Y  3X-2Y=-18  ALSO FIND Y WHEN X= -1 PLEASE SHOW STEPS  AND ANSWER THANK-YOU

Answer
Hi Shonell,

We cannot find an exact value because there are two unknowns and only one eq. To re-arrange the eq so that y stands alone:

We need to get the part with x by itself on one side of the eq. Addition and subtraction are opposites. Since 3x is being added on the left, we must do the opposite thing --> subtract 3x from both sides -->
-2y = -18-2x

Now we need the y to stand alone. Mult and division are alos opposites. The y is being multiplied by -2, so we do the opp thing --> divide both sides by -2 -->
y = 9+x

However,when the value of x is known, we can plug that into the eq: 3(-1) -2y = -18
-3 -2y = -18 For the reasons explained above, add 3 to both sides of the eq--> -2y = -15 Now divide both sides by -2

Cindy M
mathhelp@capital.net