Quick math question.

[Pogthefish]

Ok, so -9=8(x+9)-5x
-9=8x+72-5x
-9=3x+72
-3=x+24
-27=x

now I'm stuck on x-3=-3x-6

[Joaquin]

Originally Posted by Pogthefish

Ok, so -9=8(x+9)-5x
-9=8x+72-5x
-9=3x+72
-3=x+24
-27=x

now I'm stuck on x-3=-3x-6

Okay, nice! It is looking good up until your third step.

Right here:

Originally Posted by Pogthefish

-3=x+24

I think you divided everything by three, yes?

You really cannot do that unless you have isolated the 3x. In other words, you need to go back to your second step, pass the 72 to the other side (in other words, subtract both sides by 72), and then you should be good to go. :)

(You should get: -63 = 3x and ...Huzzah! You can now divide by 3.)

So, for these problems, try to put all the numbers on one side, and all the numbers multiplied by x on the other side.

[Pogthefish]

I think what I did was right, I divided all the terms on each side by 3. Nothing says you can only divide one thing by 3, also, on yahoo answers, they all told me that was how to do it too.

[Joaquin]

OHMAHGAH...I meant -81=3x.......

Oh, and my bad. The way you did it works as well. :) I don't know what I was thinking... Sorry for the confusion.

Okay, well, for x-3=-3x-6, this is what I would do:

x+3x = -6 + 3

4x=-3

x= -3/4

Is this what you got?

[Pogthefish]

Idk anymore the math paper is in my locker at school, hold on let me try again >_< wait... I'm too lazy, will update tomorrow :P srry. I have adhd and I need to save my concentrating powers for my homework which I should be doing right now.

[teeneythebetta]

I think its easier to explain using a picture and such.. I made this.. hopefully it helps? :)

[Joaquin]

^Nice :)

[Pogthefish]

:D Well I already turned in the paper, soooo.... :P thanks guys! btw cool pic, how did you make it?

[teeneythebetta]

Originally Posted by Pogthefish

:D Well I already turned in the paper, soooo.... :P thanks guys! btw cool pic, how did you make it?

Paint ;D

[Pogthefish]

smart :P thansk guys!