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Exercises Equations and inequalities

Example 2.2 from Elementary Algebra, 2.1 Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality

Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.2

Solve: $y + 37 = −13 .$

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution
To get y by itself, we will undo the addition of 37 by using the Subtraction Property of Equality.

Subtract 37 from each side to ‘undo’ the addition.

Simplify.

Check:

Substitute $y = −50$

Since $y = −50$ makes $y + 37 = −13$ a true statement, we have the solution to this equation.

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Solve: $x + 19 = −27$ .

How did it go?

PreviousSolve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.1 Next Solve Equations Using the Subtraction and Addition Properties of Equality: example 2.3

From Elementary Algebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 2.1, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.