Originally Posted by MadQuilter
Lisanne,
I think if you break it into the individual steps of how you get there, it might be easier to understand.
x - (1-5) = 3 (solve the parens)
x - (-4) = 3 (multiply a negative 1 times a negative # = positive #)
x + 4 = 3 (subtract 4 from both sides)
x = 3 - 4 = -1
MQ, when Lneal first mentioned jumping the shark and gave a sample problem, I did it with the steps. But when she posted about what it meant, I interpreted that as meaning a quicker way - the way I usually solve these. When I do these problems, I don't go through all the steps you do. I just move the numbers over and change signs and reciprocities as needed. I was trying to show how I normally do it.
You're right, showing all the steps can be clearer, but IMO it's very tedious, so I wanted to show the quicker way.
Karla has given a fine explanation of the latest problem, but showing how I'd do it...
Originally Posted by Lneal
5y + 13 = 2y - 2
5y + 13 = 2y - 2
3y = - 15 (gets like terms on the same side of the equal sign)
y = -5 (simplifying)
Originally Posted by Lneal
-2(x - 5) + 4 = 4(2x-4)
-2(x - 5) + 4 = 4(2x-4)
-2x + 10 + 4 = 8x - 16 (getting rid of parentheses)
-2x + 14 = 8x - 16 (adding the like terms on the left)
30 = 10x (getting like terms on the same side of the equal sign)
3 = x (simplifying)