Example

Solving 3(2y1)5y=2(y+1)2(y+3)3(2y - 1) - 5y = 2(y + 1) - 2(y + 3)

To solve the equation 3(2y1)5y=2(y+1)2(y+3)3(2y - 1) - 5y = 2(y + 1) - 2(y + 3), apply a systematic strategy: simplify both sides first, then isolate the variable.

  1. Simplify both sides: Distribute on both sides of the equation: 6y35y=2y+22y66y - 3 - 5y = 2y + 2 - 2y - 6 Next, use the Commutative Property of Addition to rearrange terms so that like terms are adjacent, then combine like terms to simplify each side. On the left side, 6y5y6y - 5y becomes yy. On the right side, 2y2y2y - 2y becomes 00, and 262 - 6 becomes 4-4. The equation simplifies to: y3=4y - 3 = -4
  2. Isolate the variable: To undo the subtraction of 33, apply the Addition Property of Equality by adding 33 to both sides: y3+3=4+3y - 3 + 3 = -4 + 3 y=1y = -1
  3. Check the solution: Substitute 1-1 for yy in the original equation to verify: 3(2(1)1)5(1)=2(1+1)2(1+3)3(2(-1) - 1) - 5(-1) = 2(-1 + 1) - 2(-1 + 3) 3(21)+5=2(0)2(2)3(-2 - 1) + 5 = 2(0) - 2(2) 3(3)+5=43(-3) + 5 = -4 9+5=4-9 + 5 = -4 4=4-4 = -4 Because both sides are equal, the solution y=1y = -1 is confirmed.
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Updated 2026-04-21

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