document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=272303>Question 272303</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can someone explain the steps to solve for y for graphing for linear equations?  I am having trouble with the equation y = -1/2x -4.  I can solve for y without any problem with the variables given for x, but for some reason I am not understanding how to solve for x when given the variable for y.  For example, I know that y is -1 and that the answer is -6, but I cannot seem to get the correct answer on my own.   </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #199257 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=199257\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Can someone explain the steps to solve for y for graphing for linear equations? I am having trouble with the equation y = -1/2x -4. I can solve for y without any problem with the variables given for x, but for some reason I am not understanding how to solve for x when given the variable for y. For example, I know that y is -1 and that the answer is -6, but I cannot seem to get the correct answer on my own. <BR>\n" );
document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Start with the original equation<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >x - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "They give you y = -1, want you to find x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-1 = <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >x - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "can also write it:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >x - 4 = -1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "add 4 to both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >x = -1 + 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=-1%2F2 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"-1%2F2\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >x = 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Get rid of the fraction multiply both sides by 2<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-x = 2(3)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-x = 6<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x has to be positive, multiply both sides by -1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = -6<BR>\n" );
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