SOLUTION: In the problem 5.5x -1.5y =3.5 that I tried to solve for my niece. Since there were two variables and only one equation, I thought it can`t be solved but can be simplified only. S

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Question 171607: In the problem 5.5x -1.5y =3.5 that I tried to solve for my niece.
Since there were two variables and only one equation, I thought it can`t be solved but can be simplified only. So I ended up with: 2x - 1.5y=0 . But she came home with x=3, y= 4 .
To Stan and John :
this confuses me:
how did you isolate y...this way?
2 x - 1.5 y
- 1.5 y + 1.5y ( to cancel y ?) = 0

how did Y ended up on the other side of the equation

how did you get ( 2-1.5 ) x When 1.5 has no variable
Why is :
If 2x - 1.5y = 0
then y = (2/1.5)x = (4/3)x
or the same statement is
3y = 4x
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_how did you get 3 & 4 ??????????? _ thanks

Answer by checkley77(12844) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5.5x -1.5y =3.5
To verify that the answers are correct replace x by 3 & y by 4 and solve.
5.5*3-1.5*4=3.5
16.5-6=3.5
10.5=3.5 does not match.
Therefore x=3 & y=4 are not valid answers to this equation as stated.