Question

solve.
-1/5y=10
A.50
B.-50
C.100
D.-100

Answer 1

-1/5y = 10
multiply the equation by 5
-1y = 50 or just -y = 50
now multiply by -1 to make y positive
y = -50

check...
-1/5(-50) = 10 -- negative times negative = positive
50/5 = 10
10 = 10 (correct)

y = -50

Answer 2

little tip...when you have a fraction in the equation, if you multiply the equation by the common denominator, it will get rid of your fractions and turn them to whole numbers.

Answer 3

Not to interrupt, but when you have a fraction with a variable, and you need to divide it out. You can just multiply both sides by it's reciprocal. In this case it happens to be 5 :)
Carry on :)

Answer 4

nicely said austin :)

Answer 5

Lets say for example we have,

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{4}x+4=10\)

We can subtract 4 from both sides,

\(\displaystyle\frac{3}{4}x=6\)

Then we can multiply by the reciprocal of 3/4 which is 4/3.

\(\displaystyle x=6\cdot\frac{4}{3}=\frac{6\times4}{3}=\frac{24}{3}=8\)

Make sense?

Answer 6

I do it a little different....
3/4x + 4 = 10 (I would multiply this by 4)
3x + 16 = 40
3x = 40 - 16
3x = 24
x = 8

Answer 7

That is one of the many reasons why I absolutely love algebra, there are so many different routes you can take on your way to the correct answer! :D

Answer 8

thats just because I do not like dealing with fractions

Answer 9

Fractions are your friend :P

My teachers have always said that :)

Answer 10

Fractions are your friends....I don't know about that...I prefer whole numbers