Question

How do you solve `4y+12=4`?

Answer 1

`y=-2`

Explanation:

You want to solve`4y+12=4`
We can think of this as some amount plus 12 = 4.
The amount itself, therefore, must be 12 less than 4, i.e. `4-12=-8`

We, therefore, have `4y=-8`.
But if 4 of something is -8, then that something must be 1/4 of -8 i.e. -2

It, therefore, follows that y=-2

In mathematical terms we have

`4y+12=4`
`4y+12-12=4-12=-8` (deduct 12 from both sides)
`4y=-8`
`(4y)/4=-8/4=-2` (divide both sides with 4)
`y=-2`