m + 8 over 4 = -2

Question

 m + 8 over 4 = -2 using inverse operation. multi step equation for eighth grade. thank you for your hepl

Answer 1

Mackenzie, let's go into a brief definition of inverse operations first. Inverse operations are operations that cancel each other's actions, "undoing" what was done. There are many operations that undo each other but here we'll be dealing with adding/subtracting and multiplying/dividing. OK, now onto the problem.

 

The problem features the word "over" which indicates a division bar, thus a fraction. Here, "m+8" is the numerator while "4" is the denominator. Using symbols, the problem look likes this:

 

(m+8)

–––––    = -2

    4

 

To solve, we're going to use an inverse operation to isolate m. Since the problem is as a fraction, the operation presented is actually division; there is a saying A fraction is division and division is a fraction since it's the same thing! So because it's division, we need to "undo" it so we will use multiplication. Multiplying both sides by 4 will remove the fraction bar meaning that the equation is now:

 

m+8

––––  •  4 = -2 •4

   4

 

m+8= -8

 

To isolate m, we will again use inverse operations but undo addition since it's m + 8. The inverse operation is subtraction, so we can subtract both sides by 8 resulting in this equation:

 

m+8 -8= -8 -8

m= -16

 

Let's check it by replacing m with -16 into the original problem.

(-16)+8

––––––– =-2

    4

 

-8

–––= -2

  4

 

-2= -2 so m= -16

Answer 2

(m+8)/4 = -2

 

multiply both sides by 4

 

4[(m+8)/4] = (-2)4

m+8 = -8

 

subtract 8 from both sides

 

m+8-8 = -8-8

m= -16

 

Good luck.  Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Hi Mackenzie! 

 

(m+8)/4=-2 (multiply boths side by 4 first)

 

m+8=-2(4) (the 4 cancels on the other side)

 

m+8=-8 (now subtract the 8 to get the m alone)

 

m=-8 - 8

 

m=-16

 

Now check the answer by plugging m back into the original equation

 

(-16+8)/4=-2

-8/4=-2

-2=-2 Correct!

 

Have a great day!

Tiffany