Question 321960
<pre><b>
-6y - 1 = 2

Add + 1 to both sides:

-6y - 1 = 2
<u>    + 1  +1</u>
-6y     = 3   

Divide both sides by -6, the coefficient of y:

-6y - 1 = 2
<u>    + 1  +1</u>
-6y     = 3
{{{(-6y)/(-6)}}} {{{"="}}}{{{3/(-6)}}}

Cancel the -6's on the left.  The right is
a positive 3 divided by a negative 6 which
gives a negative result:

-6y - 1 = 2
<u>    + 1  +1</u>
-6y     = 3
{{{(-6y)/(-6)}}} {{{"="}}}{{{3/(-6)}}}
{{{(cross(-6)y)/(cross(-6))}}} {{{"="}}}{{{-3/6}}}

Now we reduce the fraction {{{-3/6}}} to {{{-1/2}}}

-6y - 1 = 2
<u>    + 1  +1</u>
-6y     = 3
{{{(-6y)/(-6)}}} {{{"="}}}{{{3/(-6)}}}
{{{(cross(-6)y)/(cross(-6))}}} {{{"="}}}{{{-3/6}}}
{{{y}}}{{{"="}}}{{{-1/2}}}

To check it:

{{{-6y - 1 = 2}}}
{{{-6(-1/2)-1=2}}}
{{{3-1=2}}}
{{{2=2}}}

So it's correct.

Edwin</pre>