solve -(m+9)=-27

Question

solve equation 

-(m+9)=-27

Answer 1

Jerry, the - in front of the parentheses is like a -1.  Remember the distributive property?

 

-1(m+9) = -27

 

-m - 9 = -27

 

- m = -18

 

Now, we have an imaginary -1 in front of the m. -m = -1m, so we have to divide by -1

 

m = 18

 

Let's check our answer.  -(18+9) = -(27) = -27.  Check!

 

Another way to do this is to imagine -1(m+9) = -1(27).  If we divide both sides by -1, then the negative goes away!

 

m+9 = 27, so m = 18.  Boom.

 

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi Jerry,

Your equation says the opposite of  m + 9 equals a positive 27, so the original   m + 9 must equal negative 27.

 

- (m + 9) = 27

m + 9 = - 27

    - 9       - 9

m = - 36

 

Have a good day!

Mary Ann