please show me how to solve for y

(4x+y) = (x-y)

thanks

2. Hi

Originally Posted by cornman
please show me how to solve for y

(4x+y) = (x-y)

thanks
4x +y = x - y

calculate: -4x on both sides

4x + y - 4x = x -y - 4x

0x + y = -3x - y

y = -3x -y

calculate: add +y on both sides

y +y = -3x -y +y

2y = -3x

Now divide by 2

$\frac{2y}{2} = \frac{-3x}{2}$

$y = \frac{-3x}{2}$

Ok?

Cheers, Rapha

3. Thanks Rapha. i didnt think i could subtract terms from the parentheses. what am i missing?

4. Originally Posted by cornman
I didnt think i could subtract terms from the parentheses. what am i missing?

Yes you can, because this is a summation, not a product. These parantheses just matter, if theres another factor like

3*(4x+y) = -17*(x-y)

In this case you can't just subtract 4x like

3*(4x+y) - 4x = 3*y

This is horribly wrong.

Not sure I didn't get your point.

Rapha

5. Originally Posted by cornman
can someone please show me the steps to solve for y for the following?

(4x+y) = (x-y)

thanks!
$4x + y = x - y$

$4x = x - 2y$

$3x = -2y$

$y = -\frac{3}{2}x$