Algebra help!!

[Matt]

Does anyone know basic algebra out there? Can anyone explain to me how to solve for "y" in this case?

5*26/25+5y=-11

This is what the answer should be, I have no idea how they arrived at it

5y=-275/25-130/25=-405/25

I really appreciate any kind of help anyone can give. I'm pulling my hair out and I don't have much left.

and by the way...algebra sucks ass!!

[Gris]

5*26/25+11 = -5y (Get all numbers on 1 side and all variables on the other)
130/25+11 = -5y (multiple 5*26)
5.2+11 = -5y (divide 130/25)
16.2 = -5y (add 5.2+11)
3.24 = -y (divide 16.2/5 to get just 1 y)
y = -3.24 (switch the sign on y and on the the number so that y is positive)

as far as what they got, it's NOT fully simplified or the complete answer. hold on...

OK...

-5y = 11 + (5*26)/25 (Get all numbers on 1 side and all variables on the other)
-5y = (11*25)/25 + (5*26)/25 (for some reason, they are multiplying the 11 * the same 25 as the (5*26))
-5y = 275/25 + 130/25 (multiply the parts in parens)
5y = -275/25 - 130/25 (switch the case on everything so that y is positive)
5y = -405/25 (add the numerators of the 2 divisions)
5y = -16.2 (divide 405/25)
y = -3.24 (Divide both sides by 5 to get 1y)

[Matt]

Thanks Gris, I really appreciate the help.

That may be an easier way to do it than what I have been trying. Is 3.24 the same as 405/25? They want a fraction of course. Or am I missing something?

[Gris]

sorry, the 405/25 is for 5y. on the 2nd part, I forgot to divide both by 5 to get just 1 y. Added it to my post.

I thought they were divisions, not fractions. try this, It keeps the last steps as fractions instead of division...

-5y = 11 + (5*26)/25 (Get all numbers on 1 side and all variables on the other)
-5y = (11*25)/25 + (5*26)/25 (multiply the 11 * 25, then make a fraction by putting that over the 25 you multiplied it by)
-5y = 275/25 + 130/25 (multiply the parts in parens)
5y = -275/25 - 130/25 (switch the case on everything so that y is positive)
5y = -405/25 (add the numerators of the 2 divisions)
y = -81/25 (divide both sides by 5 to get just 1 y)
y = -3 6/25 (if they want you to simplify the fraction. If not, stop at the previous step)

[ICry4Oy]

This gives me a headache:onfire:

[Jean]

Matt - maybe Jon has kept, or I'll be able to find, my essay written personally for him, explaining how equations are solved. I know that he liked it and found it helpful; if you need Algebra in the future I think bears can be of help.

[Daghain]

And never forget the order of operations:

PEMDAS

Parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction. Always work your problems in that order.

Easy way to remember: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. :D

[Matt]

This gives me a headache:onfire:
:lol:--Me too and I have to look at it all night long


sorry, the 405/25 is for 5y. on the 2nd part, I forgot to divide both by 5 to get just 1 y. Added it to my post.

I thought they were divisions, not fractions. try this, It keeps the last steps as fractions instead of division...

-5y = 11 + (5*26)/25 (Get all numbers on 1 side and all variables on the other)
-5y = (11*25)/25 + (5*26)/25 (multiply the 11 * 25, then make a fraction by putting that over the 25 you multiplied it by)
-5y = 275/25 + 130/25 (multiply the parts in parens)
5y = -275/25 - 130/25 (switch the case on everything so that y is positive)
5y = -405/25 (add the numerators of the 2 divisions)
y = -81/25 (divide both sides by 5 to get just 1 y)
y = -3 6/25 (if they want you to simplify the fraction. If not, stop at the previous step)

Thank you, that really helps a lot. I may need to draw on my good friends here from time to time. Next is 9 weeks of algebra II :panic:


Matt - maybe Jon has kept, or I'll be able to find, my essay written personally for him, explaining how equations are solved. I know that he liked it and found it helpful; if you need Algebra in the future I think bears can be of help.

Thanks Jean, I would love it if he can find that because I really need someone who knows how to explain it well and I know you are already a teacher.


And never forget the order of operations:

PEMDAS

Parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, subtraction. Always work your problems in that order.

Easy way to remember: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally. :D

That is the one thing about this all I have down pat Daggers, thank you.

[Daghain]

Yeah, that's what screwed me in 9th grade Algebra, that damn order of operations. :lol:

[Jon]

Jean. Your essay was lost when I THOUGHT I had every thing backed up to an external hard drive. I then reformatted my hard drive and...oops! I lost every poem written in the last 10 years! I was so mad. I lost many pics too.


Matt...I think Locke has a few CDs...DVDs that may help. I am no help at all. I am happy to ship the disks to you.

one thing that helped me on a very basic level.

if you see:

-2 + 17

Do NOT think about adding and subtracting! Simply view this as a checking account with a withdrawal of 2 and a deposit of 17...combine the numbers.

That is the best I can do for you.

Let me know about the disks.

Algebra sucks ass

Statistics is slightly less sucky.


When you hit "linear programing"...pray to your God!!!!!!!! Twice!!!!!!!!!

[Matt]

Thanks Jon, I have plenty of DVD's and books as a way to learn it a little better. I think more may confuse. :lol:

[Nerak]

dayum...I am in trouble next fall...Kyra will be starting algebra...it's been over 20 years since I had to do it...and I was awsome at it!!!

[Jon]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/walterodim_photos/thWaterboy_Mom.gif