SOLUTION: -2=-11/3(4) + b solve for b My answer I get is b= -46/3, but when I entered the problem in WolframAlpha, they got b=38/3. I just want to know where I went wrong. Here's min

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: -2=-11/3(4) + b solve for b My answer I get is b= -46/3, but when I entered the problem in WolframAlpha, they got b=38/3. I just want to know where I went wrong. Here's min      Log On


   

Question 1066527: -2=-11/3(4) + b solve for b
My answer I get is b= -46/3, but when I entered the problem in WolframAlpha, they got b=38/3. I just want to know where I went wrong.

Here's mine:
y=-11/3x+b
-2=-11/3(4)+b
-2=-44/3+b
-b -b
-2-b=-44/3
+-2 +-2
b=-44/3+-2
b=-46/3
Can you show me where I went wrong?
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, MathTherapy:
Answer by ikleyn(52797) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
-2=-11/3(4) + b solve for b
My answer I get is b= -46/3, but when I entered the problem in WolframAlpha, they got b=38/3. I just want to know where I went wrong.

Here's mine: 
       y=-11/3x+b
      -2=-11/3(4)+b
      -2=-44/3+b
      -b      -b
      -2-b=-44/3
       +-2    +-2       <<<---+++   I do not understand this "+-". Only "+" must be.
       b=-44/3+-2       <<<---+++   This line is INCORRECT.  As a consequence, the next line is incorrect, too.
       b=-46/3

Can you show me where I went wrong?

Why it was so difficult to you to check it on your own ??

If you need to study solving equation, you may want to look into the lesson
    - HOW TO solve a linear equation
in this site.



Answer by MathTherapy(10552) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
-2=-11/3(4) + b solve for b
My answer I get is b= -46/3, but when I entered the problem in WolframAlpha, they got b=38/3. I just want to know where I went wrong.

Here's mine:
y=-11/3x+b
-2=-11/3(4)+b
-2=-44/3+b
-b -b
-2-b=-44/3
+-2 +-2
b=-44/3+-2
b=-46/3
Can you show me where I went wrong?
-+2+=+%28-+11%2F3%294+%2B+b

-+2+=+-+44%2F3+%2B+b

-+2+%2B+44%2F3+=+b ------ Adding 44%2F3

%28-+6%29%2F3+%2B+44%2F3+=+b

highlight_green%28matrix%281%2C3%2C+38%2F3%2C+%22=%22%2C++b%29%29



Instead of ADDING 2 in line 6, you subtracted it

Also, b (this is what we're looking for) was positive on the right side. There's no need to SUBTRACT it, as it's quite fine where it is.

Study my solution and you'll see exactly what I did, which is how it should be done.

Also, line 7 has: %28-+44%29%2F3+%2B+-+2+=+%28-+44%29%2F3+-+2+=+%28-+44%29%2F3+-+6%2F3+=+-+50%2F3, not %28-+46%29%2F3 as you stated. Your solution is very messy....too many errors.

I think you need to study, "Solving equations," and practice, practice, practice them.