Example

Solving y7=14\frac{y}{-7} = -14 Using the Multiplication Property

To solve the equation y7=14\frac{y}{-7} = -14, the variable yy is being divided by 7-7, so the Multiplication Property of Equality is used to undo that division.

Step 1 — Multiply both sides by the divisor: Multiply each side of the equation by 7-7:

(7)y7=(7)(14)(-7) \cdot \frac{y}{-7} = (-7) \cdot (-14)

Step 2 — Simplify: On the left side, (7)y7=7y7=y(-7) \cdot \frac{y}{-7} = \frac{-7y}{-7} = y, because multiplying by the same number that divides the variable cancels the division. On the right side, (7)(14)=98(-7)(-14) = 98 (two negative factors produce a positive product):

y=98y = 98

Step 3 — Check by substitution: Replace yy with 9898 in the original equation:

987=?14\frac{98}{-7} \stackrel{?}{=} -14

14=14-14 = -14 \checkmark

Because both sides are equal, y=98y = 98 is confirmed as the solution. This example illustrates how multiplying both sides by a negative number works the same way as multiplying by a positive number — the key is to multiply by whatever value the variable is being divided by, so that the division is reversed and the variable is isolated.

0

1

Updated 2026-04-21

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.2 Solving Linear Equations and Inequalities - Elementary Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Math

Prealgebra

Related
Learn After