document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=19761>Question 19761</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> how do you solve the problem 3(x-2y)=-12(x+2y)? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #9551 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mmm4444bot><B>mmm4444bot(95)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-08.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mmm4444bot><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/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=9551\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hello There:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "We cannot find numeric values for x and y because we only have one equation.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "When there are two variables, we need two equations.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "If, by chance, you are supposed to solve the equation for y, then you would end up with the slope-intercept form of this linear equation.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "You didn't ask any questions or tell us what you're supposed to do with this equation, so I'll just guess that you're supposed to solve for y.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3*(x - 2*y) = -12*(x + 2*y)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Start by using the distributive property to get rid of the parentheses.  In other words, both the x and the -2*y get multiplied by 3, and both the x and the 2*y get multiplied by -12.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "3*x - 6*y = -12*x - 24*y\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Combine like terms.  Add 24*y to both sides, and subtract 3*x from both sides.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "18*y = -15*x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Solve for y by dividing both sides by 18.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "y = (-15/18)*x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "y = (-5/6)*x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The graph of this equation is a straight line passing through the origin.  Since the slope is a drop of 5 units for every 6 units moved to the right, the point (6, -5) is also on the graph.  Plot these two points, and draw a line through them to get the graph.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "I hope this is the information that you were looking for.  Next time, please consider posting some questions or instructions along with your problem.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "~ Mark<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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