SOLUTION: how would you solve a problem like -x(3/7+y)

Question 11978: how would you solve a problem like -x(3/7+y)
Found 2 solutions by longjonsilver, Earlsdon:
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
right, well first you would not "solve" it, as it isn't equal to anything. Even if it was equal to something, you have 2 unknowns... x and y and just one equation.

If you meant, how do i expand the bracket? then what it actually is saying, written out fully, is:

--> i take it, you meant this? rather than ?

so the (-1x) has to be multiplied to both the (+3/7) and the (+1y). These each give:

-(3x)/7
and
-xy

--> answer is -(3x)/7 - xy

jon.

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There is really nothing to solve here!
You have an algebraic expression and, unless you are given the values for x and y, you cannot evaluate it.
To "solve" this, it would have to be an "equation" in which the "expression" you have is equal (=) to something. But, no equals, no equation.
The only thing that you can do is to "simplify" this expression by applying the "distributive property".
Is this what you wanted?
Simplify:
Apply the distributive property.

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