document.write( "Question 518996: Solve for Y: (2)/(3)+3y=5y-(2)/(15)
\n" ); document.write( "Your supposed to eliminate the fractions first. I keep coming up with 5/2 even though I know the answer is 2/5. I just cant see what I'm doing wrong
\n" ); document.write( "I first eliminate 2/3 by multiplying both sides by 3/2. This gives me:
\n" ); document.write( "3y=5y-1/5
\n" ); document.write( "Move the 5y over and get -2y
\n" ); document.write( "multiply by the recip -1/2
\n" ); document.write( "that gives me 5/2! Grrr \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #345332 by jessica43(140)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
So you were correct in working with the fractions first, however, you cannot just multiply both sides by 3/2. Multiply by 3/2 would get rid of the 2/3, but it would also multiply both the 3y and the 5y by 3/2, which would make the problem even more complicated.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Instead, start by rewriting the fractions with the same denominator so you can easily add or subtract them from each other. In this case:
\n" ); document.write( "2/3 = 10/15
\n" ); document.write( "So now you have:
\n" ); document.write( "10/15 + 3y = 5y - 2/15
\n" ); document.write( "12/15 + 3y = 5y (added 2/15 to each side)
\n" ); document.write( "12/15 = 2y (subtracted 3y from each side)
\n" ); document.write( "now simplify the fraction
\n" ); document.write( "12/15 = 4/5
\n" ); document.write( "so you have:
\n" ); document.write( "4/5 = 2y
\n" ); document.write( "4/10 = y
\n" ); document.write( "And since 4/10 = 2/5, you have the answer you thought you would! \n" ); document.write( "
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