How can (1/4)x-3=(1/2)x+8 be set up as a system of equations? I got this wrong on the test with an answer of 4y-4x=-12 and 2y-2x=16. I'd like to know what I did wrong and of course, they don't tell you.

Question

How can (1/4)x-3=(1/2)x+8 be set up as a system of equations?  I got this wrong on the test with an answer of 4y-4x=-12 and 2y-2x=16.  I'd like to know what I did wrong and of course, they don't tell you.

sleepyjess · Answer

$$\frac{ 1 }{ 4 }x-3=\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }x+8$$

sleepyjess · Answer

@satellite73 ... if you get a chance, can you explain this to me?

anonymous · Answer

i guess you could write 
$$\frac{ 1 }{ 4 }x-3=y\
\frac{ 1 }{ 2 }x+8=y$$ but that seem silly

judygreeneyes · Answer

It does seem silly, but you are probably correct!

anonymous · Answer

or you could write
 $$x-4y=12\
x-2y=-16$$ both are equally ridiculous because you have it right in the form to solve

sleepyjess · Answer

The available answers other than the one I chose were:

sleepyjess · Answer

4y + 4x = −12
2y + 2x = 16

anonymous · Answer

i see the problem you multiplied the first one by 4, but $4\times \frac{1}{4}=x$ not $4x$

sleepyjess · Answer

4y − x = −12
2y − x = 16

sleepyjess · Answer

4y + x = −12
2y + x = 16

sleepyjess · Answer

Ok, I see where I got the x part wrong

anonymous · Answer

$$x-4y=12\
x-2y=-16$$ is what i got
multiply both sides by $-1$ and get 
$$4y-x=-12\
2y-x=16$$

anonymous · Answer

what a weird arbitrary question

sleepyjess · Answer

Any idea of why they would do that instead of leaving it as the x-4y and x-2y?

the_fizicx99 · Answer

I've never seen any problem like this. O.e :S

sleepyjess · Answer

lol @tHe_FiZiCx99

sleepyjess · Answer

@satellite73 ... I was going to send you a message, but it says you only accept messages from someone you've fanned

anonymous · Answer

C. 4y + x = −12
2y + x = 16

And 

D.  4y − 4x = −12
2y − 2x = 16 

Are wrong , just took the test