Maths help

[mattux]

Hi

Not sure if correct forum to post in, please move if necessary.

I need some help with equations and unknowns please.
I have the following equation.

5x +2 = 2x -6 I think i should try and get the x on one side so take away 2x

3x +2 = -6 Then i think i should add 6 to get rid of the -6 but that would leave the equals sign with nothing to the right

3x +8 = 0 can I do this and then move the +8 across ( i am trying to avoid the negative numbers)

Or do i take away the +2 leaving
3x = -8

And then -8/3 ? Problem is I dont like negative numbers

This is to help my daughter with her math homework, its times like this I really wish I had paid attention in school

 

[ikillbears]

+s

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

*Maths

3x = -8
x = -8/3

So yes you're right. You'll get a negative whatever you do as that is the solution to this equation.

 

[Xordium]

You need to isolate the unknown, eg:

x - number1 = something ... you need to + number1 to both sides
x + number1= something ... you need to - number 1 to both sides

If you have

5x - number1 = 2x + number2 ... then you first job would be to make sure you had the unknown ie X value only on one side of the equation ... in this case removing 2x from both sides to get 3x - number1 = number 2 then of course you'd add number1 so you'd get 3x = number 2 + number1
If that leads you with a negative sobeit.

5x +2 = 2x -6 ... the unknown is x of course so you need to take 2 x from both sides so you now have 3X + 2 = -6 ...now you need to get rid of that + 2 to isolate X therefore 3X = -8 so X = -8/3

 

[mattux]

+s

Helpful thanks

 

[mattux]

*Maths

3x = -8
x = -8/3

So yes you're right. You'll get a negative whatever you do as that is the solution to this equation.

Thanks Alec much appreciated

 

[platypus]

Helpful thanks

We await your Unglish thread with baited breath .

 

[mattux]

SO x = -8/3

I get x = -2.66666666667

Is this the correct answer and presentation?

 

[muon]

Leave it is a fraction.

 

[mattux]

Leave it is a fraction.

So just x = -8/3

Thanks for the help muon

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

SO x = -8/3

I get x = -2.66666666667

Is this the correct answer and presentation?

You've lost accuracy there, much better to leave it as a fraction, i.e. -8/3.

I suppose you could say -x = 8/3 if you really hate negatives.

Or I suppose you could say |x| = 8/3

 

[mattux]

You've lost accuracy there, much better to leave it as a fraction, i.e. -8/3.

I suppose you could say -x = 8/3 if you really hate negatives.

Or I suppose you could say |x| = 8/3

Thanks again Alec

really starting to find mathS fascinating.

 

[muon]

You've lost accuracy there, much better to leave it as a fraction, i.e. -8/3.

I suppose you could say -x = 8/3 if you really hate negatives.

Or I suppose you could say |x| = 8/3

That isn't answering the question. Don't do this.

 

[tbyeah]

Leave as -8/3

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

That isn't answering the question. Don't do this.

Care to explain how? -8/3 is the solution to the problem.

He asked how to avoid using negatives and in a general sense, that is how you would do it.

But yes, the solution isn't |x| or -x, it's x so must equal -8/3.

 

[mattux]

Yes I understood what you were saying alec, you listened to my fear for negative numbers but they are not that bad at all actually as i have just discovered.

 

[StriderX]

x=-8e∞/3e∞

 

[CorrectHorseBattery]

Next stop, solve x^2 = -1.

 

[muon]

Next stop, solve x^2 = -1.

lol

You should leave this to your daughter. It's supposed to be interesting.

Without looking it up, what do you think the answer is?

 

[StriderX]

Next stop, solve x^2 = -1.

x=ie∞/e∞