My Math Forum Any tips on steps to solve Y=MX+B?

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 January 10th, 2017, 09:30 PM #1 Newbie   Joined: May 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Any tips on steps to solve Y=MX+B? Like I know the 3rd step where you have to triple divide each side. 2x + 3y = 18 What are the basic steps to solve it? I know the define of what M is the slope and B is the Y Intercept. The answer is y = -2/3x + 6. What are the steps to solve it? Last edited by skipjack; January 11th, 2017 at 06:08 AM.
 January 10th, 2017, 09:48 PM #2 Senior Member     Joined: Sep 2015 From: CA Posts: 1,238 Thanks: 637 $2x + 3y = 18$ $3y = -2x + 18$ $y =\dfrac{-2x + 18}{3} = -\dfrac 2 3 x + 6$
 January 10th, 2017, 09:49 PM #3 Senior Member     Joined: Sep 2007 From: USA Posts: 349 Thanks: 67 Math Focus: Calculus $2x+3y=18$ First, subtract $2x$ from both sides of the equation. So, $2x+3y-2x=-2x+18$, $3y=-2x+18$. Next, divide both sides of the equation by 3, $\displaystyle \frac{3y}{3}=\frac{-2x+18}{3}$. On the right hand side of the equation you can use the distributive property to write it as $\displaystyle \frac{3y}{3}=-\frac{2}{3}x+\frac{18}{3}$. Now, you simplify. $\displaystyle y=-\frac{2}{3}x+6$.
 January 11th, 2017, 07:51 AM #4 Newbie   Joined: May 2012 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 The divide part I get and simplify but the first part I didn't understand. When you subtract 2x from both sides 2x + 3y = 18 -2x -2x Why doesn't the 18 change? to a 16? and we cross out the 2x like regular first step equations and multi step equations? Like this 3y=18 and then we divide by 3 both sides to get an answer Instead we have to bring down the 2x and the 18 then we divide 3 all sides. Why is this arithmetic different. Last edited by napninjanx; January 11th, 2017 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Needed more info
January 11th, 2017, 10:24 PM   #5
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Quote:
 Originally Posted by napninjanx The divide part I get and simplify but the first part I didn't understand. When you subtract 2x from both sides 2x + 3y = 18 -2x -2x Why doesn't the 18 change? to a 16? and we cross out the 2x like regular first step equations and multi step equations? Like this 3y=18 and then we divide by 3 both sides to get an answer Instead we have to bring down the 2x and the 18 then we divide 3 all sides. Why is this arithmetic different.
Wow, you really are confused.

$2x + 3y = 18$

is a single equation with two unknowns. Therefore, you cannot find a numeric answer. All that you can do is to re-arrange the equation to express one unknown in terms of the other.

$18 - 2x = 16\ if\ and\ only\ if\ x = 1.$

But we don't know what x is equal to.

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