when I have a subsitution equation that gives -3x+y=11 how do i get y on one side? do i subtract eleven and y?

Question

I don't know how to use this site. I seem to already be having difficulty. Am I expected to wait for answer to do I ask question again?

Answer 1

Tayla, we have to get the y by itself on one side. What's on that side that doesn't have y?  -3x does not include y, so it needs to move.  We get rid of it by adding 3x to both sides.

 

-3x+y=11

+3x     +3x

 

We know that -3x + 3x = 0, so they cancel out.  We can't add 11 and 3x because they are not like terms, so...

 

y = 3x + 11

 

If you do what you said, you'd end up with -3x - 11 = -y.  Since -y ≠ y, that doesn't quite work.

 

Hope this helps.  Keep posting questions as you need!