Question

6 1/2 = -4(n - 1)

Answer 1

do you know how to turn a mixed number into an improper fraction ?

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

6 1/2 would be 13/2

Answer 4

so we have :
13/2 = -4(n - 1)
do you know how to distribute through the parenthesis

Answer 5

or you can just divide both sides by -4.....either way could be used.

Answer 6

how do you want to proceed...distributing or dividing

Answer 7

Distributing

Answer 8

13/2 = -4(n - 1) --- distribute the -4 through the parenthesis
13/2 = -4n + 4
you understand so far ?

Answer 9

Yes

Answer 10

now you have another choice to make...do you want to solve this with fractions, or do you want to solve this without fractions....we can turn the fractions to whole numbers. Either way will get you to the right answer. Your choice

Answer 11

With

Answer 12

13/2 = -4n + 4 --- subtract 4 from both sides
13/2 - 4 = -4n -- common denominator is 2
13/2 - 8/2 = -4n -- combine like terms
5/2 = -4n -- now divide both sides by -4
(5/2) / -4 = n
5/2 * -1/4 = n
- 5/8 = n

or without fractions..
13/2 = -4n + 4 --- multiply everything by the common denominator 2
13 = -8n + 8 -- subtract 8
13 - 8 = -8n
5 = -8n -- divide by -8
-5/8 = n

either way, you should arrive at the same answer

Answer 13

do you have any questions at all ?

Answer 14

Thank you so much!