Question 331563
solve for y: ax+by=c

This is called a literal equation since there are no numbers.  

To solve for y means to isolate y.

The same applies to any variable we are solving for.


ax + by = c

by = c - ax

y = (c - ax)/b

NOTE: y = (-ax + c)/b is the same thing as y = (c - ax)/b.

We can apply the commutative rule of addition on the numerator allowing us to switch the terms around not changing the value of the entire fraction.  Understand?