Algebra Problem

Question

Solve: 3y^2(4y^2 + y) - 2y^3(6y + 1) = 8

Answer 1

Problems that look hard often turn out to be easy if you just work them through.

 

First multiply through the parentheses...

 

3y² (4y² + y) - 2y³ (6y + 1) = 8

12y⁴ + 3y³ - 12y⁴ - 2y³ = 8

 

Then gather like terms:

12y⁴ - 12y⁴ + 3y³ - 2y³ = 8

 

Add and cancel out like terms:

y³ = 8

 

Take the cube root of both sides:

y = 2