document.write( "Question 171607: In the problem 5.5x -1.5y =3.5 that I tried to solve for my niece.
\n" ); document.write( "Since there were two variables and only one equation, I thought it can`t be solved but can be simplified only. So I ended up with: 2x - 1.5y=0 . But she came home with x=3, y= 4 .\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "To Stan and John :
\n" ); document.write( "this confuses me:
\n" ); document.write( "how did you isolate y...this way?\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " 2 x - 1.5 y
\n" ); document.write( "- 1.5 y + 1.5y ( to cancel y ?) = 0
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( " \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "how did Y ended up on the other side of the equation\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "how did you get ( 2-1.5 ) x When 1.5 has no variable\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Why is :\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If 2x - 1.5y = 0
\n" ); document.write( "then y = (2/1.5)x = (4/3)x
\n" ); document.write( "or the same statement is
\n" ); document.write( "3y = 4x
\n" ); document.write( "--------------
\n" ); document.write( "_how did you get 3 & 4 ??????????? _ thanks\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #126881 by checkley77(12844)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5.5x -1.5y =3.5
\n" ); document.write( "To verify that the answers are correct replace x by 3 & y by 4 and solve.
\n" ); document.write( "5.5*3-1.5*4=3.5
\n" ); document.write( "16.5-6=3.5
\n" ); document.write( "10.5=3.5 does not match.
\n" ); document.write( "Therefore x=3 & y=4 are not valid answers to this equation as stated.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );