Solving Equations with Fractions
How do I solve this?
1/3(7y-1)+1/6(4y+7)
Karin from Algebra Class says:
I would love to help you solve this equation, however, we need to have an equal sign with an answer:
1/3(7y-1) + 1/6(4y + 7) = ???
If the directions are to simplify, then we can:
Step 1: Get rid of the fractions by multiplying all terms by 6.
6
1/3(7y-1) + 1/6(4y +7)2(7y-1) +1(4y+7)
Step 2: Use the distributive property:
2(7y-1) +1(4y+7)
14y -2 + 4y + 7
Step 3: Write like terms together:
14y -2 + 4y + 7
14y + 4y - 2 + 7
Step 4: Combine like terms:
14y + 4y - 2 + 7
18y + 5
Step 5: Since we are simplifying an expression (and not solving an equation where we would keep the equation balanced by multiplying by 6 on both sides), we need to divide our answer by 6.
We multiplied by 6 initially to get rid of the fractions and now we must divide our answer by 6 in order to keep it balanced.
18y/6 + 5/6
Simplifies to 3y + 5/6
Hope this helps,
Karin