SOLUTION: I'm very confused about this problem, so I really hope someone can help me. I dont know how to type this and I looked at the fourmula plotting system but couldnt find anything, so

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: I'm very confused about this problem, so I really hope someone can help me. I dont know how to type this and I looked at the fourmula plotting system but couldnt find anything, so       Log On


   

Question 194899: I'm very confused about this problem, so I really hope someone can help me. I dont know how to type this and I looked at the fourmula plotting system but couldnt find anything, so I will try to explain it the best I can.
I have to write an expression for the following.
y+y+...+y
(then there is a curly bracket under it making it look like a fraction(except that its a curly bracket) and under the bracket is the following)
x of them
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's start off with some simple cases:

Case 1: If we have only one y, then we'll simply have y=1y


Case 2: If we add up two y's, then y%2By=2y


Case 3: If we add up three y's, then y%2By%2By=3y


Case 4: If we add up four y's, then y%2By%2By%2By=4y


etc...


So all we're doing is placing the number of y's that we're adding in front of the y's.


So if we add up 5 y's, then we'll get 5y


If we add up 22 y's, then we'll get 22y.


So if we add up "x" y's, then we'll get xy which is the answer.


Note: the reason why this works is because multiplication is really a shortcut for repeated addition.