Question #427ae

2 Answers
Sep 18, 2017

#q= 2#

Explanation:

#16 - 3q = 10#
I put the unknown letter in front because I don't wanna get confused.
#-3q +16 = 10#
Let start solving the equation by subtracting #color(red)(16)# from both sides.
#-3q + 16 - color(red)(16) = 10- color(red)(16)#
#3q = -6#
Next, divide both sides by #color(green)(-3)#
#(-3q)/color(green)(-3) = (-6)/color(green)(-3)#
#q=2#

Sep 18, 2017

#q = 2#

Explanation:

The trick is to isolate the variable we are solving for on one side of the equation by adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing BOTH sides of the equation by the same quantities.

Let's begin by subtracting #16# from each side:

#16-3q -16 = 10 - 16#

#=> -3q = -6#

next we can divide both sides by #-3#:

# (-3q)/3 = (-6)/3#

#=> q = 2#