Question

solve for x.
3y - 6/x = 12

Answer 1

Have you forgotten your Order of Operations? You have if you intended to write \(\dfrac{3y-6}{x} = 12\)

Answer 2

i know my Order of Operation but i dont know how to solve this problem

Answer 3

You did not answer my question.

Did you intend to write \(3y - \dfrac{6}{x} = 12\) or not? That is what you wrote.

Answer 4

yes thats what i intended to write

Answer 5

Perfect. You would be surprised how many don't get it at all! It makes me a little cautious. Good work being one of the few!!

#1 thing to do is consider the Domain. \(x \ne 0\). Do you see why this is so?

Answer 6

why is it \[x \neq 0\]

Answer 7

With that x in the denominator, that term would blow up. Writing it down FIRST may save us headaches later. We may manipulate the equation in a way where this information is lost. It pays big dividends to write it down first.

#2 thing to do is look for ways to simplify your life. In this case, it appears 3's are wild. Let's divide each term by 3.

Answer 8

meaning?

Answer 9

Meaning what? Divide everything by 3. This will be a helpful simplification.

Now we have : \(y - \dfrac{2}{x} = 4\)

Answer 10

whats the answer?

Answer 11

It doesn't work that way here. We need to see YOUR work. I gave you the first two hints.

Answer 12

so do multiply y and x?

Answer 13

It may be tempting to multiply by x, since that may get it out of the denominator, but that will not help us. It will create a different problem.

Persanally, I would add 2/x to both sides. Let's see what you get.

Answer 14

i dont know how to do that.. i need help

Answer 15

\(y = 4 + \dfrac{2}{x}\)

Next, I would subtract 4 from both sides. You have to show me this one.

Answer 16

-4y=2/x ?

Answer 17

Needs a little work. 4 is now multiplied by y. It should be subtraction. Give it another go.