document.write( "Question 625475: Do the equations x = 4y + 1 and x = 4y – 1 have the same solution? How might you explain your answer to someone who has not learned algebra? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #393567 by KMST(5328) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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No matter what value $\"y\"$ takes,
\n" ); document.write( " $\"4y%2B1\"$ is one more than $\"4y\"$ .
\n" ); document.write( " $\"4y-1\"$ is one less than $\"4y\"$ .
\n" ); document.write( "They are clearly two different numbers and
\n" ); document.write( " $\"x\"$ cannot be two different numbers at the same time.
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\n" ); document.write( "A different explanation would involve functions, graphs, geometry, triangles, and proportions. All of that is beautifully intuitive math that does not require algebra, but it is not customary to talk about that to people who have not learned algebra. (I see no good reason to introduce math concepts in one order or another, but it is hard to fight tradition). \n" ); document.write( "

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