Thread: algebra problem

solve the equation for the given variable.

ax + by = c solve for y..

a little stuck, could use some help thanks..

this is your question

ax + by = c solve for y..

Look how simple this is...

First you isolate the terms that have "y" on one side of the equation. (note that by terms i mean the parts of the equation that are separed by addition or subtraction)

To do that, move "ax" to the other side so that you have:
by = c - ax
"ax" is now negative because when it was on the other side it was positive

Now move b to the other side. Think of it this way, (i like this way better because it will give you a greater understanding of fractions and equations which will help you much more in the future than the other way) on one side you have b * everything (which is y), so the other side it will be 1/b * everything (which is c - ax) Simply, because "b" was on the numerator on one side, to move it to the other side you send it to the denominator. The alternate way would be to say that since you have b*y you just have to divide both sides by "b" so that it will be canceled out on the left side and leave y alone.

Thus, you will have y = (c - ax)/b which is your answer...

thank you!