<PRE><B>Question 597900</B>
23 - y = 53
Remember, whatever you do to one side of the equation, you must do to the other side
In this equation subtract 23 from both sides
23 - 23 - y = 53 - 23
-y = 30
The variable (y) always has to be positive, multiply both sides by -1
-1 * -y = 30 * -1
y = -30
:
Check solution in original problem, replace with -30
23 - (-30) = 53
remember minus a minus is a plus
23 + 30 = 53, equality, so solution y=-30 is correct</PRE>