SOLUTION: y-2=-4 What is y?

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: y-2=-4 What is y?      Log On


   



Question 188129: y-2=-4
What is y?

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If the equation is simply y-2=-4, then...

y-2=-4 Start with the given equation


y=-4%2B2 Add 2 to both sides


y=-2 Combine like terms.


The solution is y=-2 (if the equation is y-2=-4)




OR....


Note: Use the caret symbol ^ to signify an exponent

Ex: x squared = x^2
Ex: y to the negative 2nd power = y^(-2)




If the problem is really y%5E%28-2%29=-4 (since you posted the problem to the exponents section), then....


y%5E%28-2%29=-4 Start with the given equation


1%2Fy%5E2=-4 Rewrite y%5E%28-2%29 as 1%2Fy%5E2


1=-4y%5E2 Multiply both sides by y%5E2


1%2F%28-4%29=y%5E2 Divide both sides by -4


-1%2F4=y%5E2 Reduce


y%5E2=-1%2F4 Rearrange the equation


y=sqrt%28-1%2F4%29 or y=-sqrt%28-1%2F4%29 Take the square root of both sides


y=%281%2F2%29i or y=-%281%2F2%29i Simplify


So the solutions are y=%281%2F2%29i or y=-%281%2F2%29i (if the equation is y%5E%28-2%29=-4)