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

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Answer 1 · 2018-05-18T05:28:53

#pq=-4#

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

Answer 2 · 2018-05-18T06:24:55

#pq=-4#

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#.