Start by getting all the y terms on one side. Add +3y to each side:
5y+3y -1=-17 -3y +3y
8y-1=-17
Next, add +1 to get all the number terms on the opposite side of the equation:
8y-1+1 =-17 +1
8y=-16
Finally, divide both sides by 8:
The topic of EQUATION SOLVING is an important one! If you need extra explanation on this topic, go to my own website by doing a "Bing" or "Google" search for my last name "Rapalje". Look for and click on "Rapalje Homepage" at or near the top of the search results. Near the top of my Homepage, look for "Basic, Intermediate and College Algebra: One Step at a Time." Select "Basic Algebra" and look in Chapter 1, for Section 1.08 Equation Solving. I also have lots of problems solved in my "MATH IN LIVING COLOR" pages that correspond to this section. This is all free.
Dr. Robert J. Rapalje, Retired
Seminole State College of Florida
Altamonte Springs Campus
