dsj

3-4=-1-10=-11+w+14=-11+14= 3(w)=6 W=2

3-4=-1
-1-10=-11
-11+w=14=3(w)=6
w=2

See if you get the same answer

I get confused if it's a negative number or a minus sign.

Lisanne

You can always use PEMDAS, I think. But basically, since there are no parentheses and addition & subtraction have equal precedence, you can just go from left to right.

You want to solve for w, meaning you want only w to be left on one side of the equal sign.

Or you might find my way easier. I'd rewrite it (adding all the positive numbers first, then all the negative numbers) so you have:
w + 14 + 3 - 10 - 4 = 6
which becomes:
w + 17 - 14 = 6
That works out to w + 3 = 6
Then subtract 3 from both sides of the equal sign:
w + 3 - 3 = 6 - 3
becomes w = 3

Lneal

Thanks I've homework to do and this helps.
Linda

barnbum

Here's another way to look at it, using step by step.
3-4-10+w+14=6
Go left to right doing one problem at a time.
So
Step 1: 3-4=-1, so
-1-10+w+14=6
Step 2 is -1-10. When subtracting negative numbers, you add the opposite, so -1-10= -1+-10 (see how the +10 was changed to a -10) and that = 11.
So, you're at -11+w+14=6
Now, work with the -11 and 14 so you can determine what w is going to be. In algebra you want the letter to be by itself on one side of the = sign.
Step 3: -11+14=3
Step 4: 3+w=6
Now, this you can figure out just by looking that w=3, but if it was more complicated, you'd need to simply subract 3 from both sides and you'd end with w=3.

Hope that helps! I'm eating lunch at work... :lol:

Slow2Sew

I went back to school after 40 and found that Algebra wasn't nearly as intimidating then as I made it out to be in high school. I did a little research to answer my question, 'why do we need this anyway,' and found that Algebra teaches us to think differently and have more problem solving abilities. Don't think it has had a major impact my life since, but it did make better sense and helped me get through the class.

Best of wishes!!!

MadQuilter

I loved it - still do, but have very little use for it in regular life. (Negative numbers only appear in my bank account and let's hope they don't multiply, lol)

My DH had a lot of fear about Algebra and he did just fine.

If things get scary or tough, you can count on help from the QB (at least from me).

eiltcoq

Lneal, I loved Math from the time 'New Math' came out until I got my degree in Electronics. If you need help. please feel free to PM me, also.
My best friend in 8th grade didn't like Math, so I walked home with her after school and did her homework for her. I don't know how she did in the tests and what the teacher thought of
her grade, but I enjoyed doing the Math. Eiltcoq.

QuiltMania

A fellow teacher sent me this website for songs. Haven't checked it out yet.
http://www.havefunt eaching.com/ songs/math/

QuiltMania

MadQuilter

In your example you need to look at all the "like" items. You have regular numbers that can be added and subtracted and you have a letter (w). Your goal is to find out what "w" equals. So you need to have the w on one side of the equal sign and a number on the other.

Your numbers are 3-4-10+14 +w = 6
3-4-10+14 = 3 therefore 3+w = 6

whatever you do on one side of the equation, you also have to do on the other side to keep things in balance. In this case, you will subtract 3.

3+w-3 = 6-3
result: w=3

Breaking a problem down and applying the rules of the game always helps me a lot.