Question

1/y-2=2/y+1

what is y?

Answer 1

what have you tried and come up with?

Answer 2

i tried -1/3 and that didnt work

Answer 3

i take it those are y-2 and y+1 in the denominators?

Answer 4

yes they are

Answer 5

we can start this by something they call "cross multiplying" which is more descriptive than mathical

Answer 6

take the bottom of one side and multiply it to the top of the other side

Answer 7

okay

Answer 8

1 2
---- = ---- --> 1(y+1) = 2(y-2)
y-2 y+1

Answer 9

what should our next step be?

Answer 10

Hannah:

now that we have this

1(y+1) = 2(y-2)

what do you think we can do with it?

Answer 11

combine them?

Answer 12

combine is a vague term, but its good that you are participating :)

lets multiply those numbers that are outside the (..)s thru like this:

1(y+1) = 2(y-2)

y+1 = 2y -4

now that its all adding; how do we get y all alone?

Answer 13

subtract y?

Answer 14

very good :) that is a step in the right direction for this

y+1 = 2y -4
-y -y
------------
1 = y - 4 ; now how should we get rid of the -4?

Answer 15

add it!

Answer 16

yes!! :)

1 = y -4
+4 +4
---------
5 = y ; and thats our answer. Good job!

Answer 17

thank you!!

Answer 18

youre welcome :)