SOLUTION: Problem: Solve Y+(-16)=-12 The only thing i don't know is when you have +(-16) do you add or subtract to the other side?

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations -> SOLUTION: Problem: Solve Y+(-16)=-12 The only thing i don't know is when you have +(-16) do you add or subtract to the other side?      Log On


   

Question 173480: Problem:
Solve Y+(-16)=-12
The only thing i don't know is when you have +(-16) do you add or subtract to the other side?
Found 2 solutions by Mathtut, solver91311:
Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Y-16=-12 you need to add 16 to both sides to isolate Y
:
Y%2Bcross%2816%29cross%28-16%29=16-12
:
highlight%28Y=4%29

Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The way to look at this in EVERY situation is that you never subtract. You always add the additive inverse. For any number a, the additive inverse is -a. Just remember that if a%3C0 then -a%3E0.

So, if you have (-16) on one side and you want to get rid of it, add the additive inverse of (-16), namely 16.

So:

y%2B%28-16%29=-12

y%2B%28-16%29%2B%2816%29=-12%2B16

y%2B0=4

y=4

Similarly, you also NEVER divide. You always multiply by the multiplicative inverse. If a is any number other than zero, then the multiplicative inverse is 1%2Fa. So if you had 2x=4, you would multiply both sides by 1%2F2 which is the multiplicative inverse of the 2 coefficient on the variable.