Question

How do you solve `-7y + 3( y + 3) = 17`?

Answer 1

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms within the parenthesis on the left side of the equation by multiplying each term by `color(red)(3)`:

`-7y + (color(red)(3)xxy) + (color(red)(3)xx3) = 17`

`-7y + 3y + 9 = 17`

Next, combine like terms on the left side of the equation:

`(-7 + 3)y + 9 = 17`

`-4y + 9 = 17`

Then, subtract `color(red)(9)` from each side of the equation to isolate the `y` term while keeping the equation balanced:

`-4y + 9 - color(red)(9) = 17 - color(red)(9)`

`-4y + 0 = 8`

`-4y = 8`

Now, divide each side of the equation by `color(red)(-4)` to solve for `y` while keeping the equation balanced:

`(-4y)/color(red)(-4) = 8/color(red)(-4)`

`(color(red)(cancel(color(black)(-4)))y)/cancel(color(red)(-4)) = -2`

`y = -2`