How can I solve this equation? #2pq-3+7=pq #

2 Answers
May 18, 2018

#pq=-4#

Explanation:

#2pq-3+7=pq" "(-pq)#
#pq+4=0" "(-4)#
#pq=-4#

May 18, 2018

#pq=-4#

Explanation:

There are two variables, but only one equation.
You cannot solve for each variable separately, but you can end up with a value for the #pq# term.

Move the variables to one side and the numbers to the other.

#2pq color(blue)(-3+7) =pq#

#2pq" " color(blue)(+4) = pq#

Subtract #color(lime)(4) and color(red)(pq)# from both sides:

#2pq color(red)(-pq)cancel( + 4 color(lime)(-4))= cancel(pq color(red)(-pq)) color(lime)(-4)#

Simplify on both sides to get:

#pq =-4#

This is as far as we can go. #p and q# are two values which multiply to give #-4#.