Do you flip the fraction when you divid it?

Question

5x-9/2y=-3 ends up being -9/2y=-56x-36, but for the next step. do you flip the fraction and multiply it or just divide it the way it is?

Answer 1

"Flip" is not an algebraic operation.

 

5x - 9y/2 = -3

-9y/2 = -5x - 3      subtract 5x from both sides

 

From here two alternatives are possible:

 

-9y/2 = -5x - 3

-9y = -10x - 6      multiply both sides by 2

y = 10x/9 + 6/9   divide both sides by -9

 

-9y/2 = -5x - 3

y = (-2/9)(-5x - 3) multiply both sides by -2/9

y = 10x/9 + 6/9    distrbute 

Answer 2

5x - (9/2) y = -3

 

Use Fraction Busters to eliminate the denominator,

Multiply both sides of equation by 2

 

2 ( 5x -(9/2)y = -3 )

 

       10x - 9y = -6

      -10x          -10x

 

              -9y = -10x - 6

 

Divide all terms by -9 yields:

 

                y = (10/9)x + 2/3