Algebra help

Ok this might be in the wrong location and if so I'm sorry and please move it. But I remember people could get help on ZU for their homework and such. Well as much as I hate to admit it I'm terrible at algebra and I need help. I'm trying to use my notes and books to help but the examples are too vague. If someone can help me with just one problem and show the work involved I'm fairly confident that I can do the rest.

Solve this:
n-(5n+2)=3(n-1)

Thanks. And if other people want to add questions from their own homework then be my guest. The more people helping each other the better.

Moved to Temple of Knowledge.

You know the distributive property, right? That means whenever you have something like:

x(y+z)

You can multiply the number outside the parentheses by each term in the parentheses, resulting in:

xy + xz

We will use that here, so:

n-(5n+2)=3(n-1)

Is the same thing as:

n-1(5n+2)=3(n-1)

...right? So you just take -1 times each term in the first parentheses and 3 times each term in the second parentheses, resulting in:

n-5n-2=3n-3

Then you just combine like terms and get the n variable to one side, then divide out the multiplier:

-4n-2=3n-3

-4n-2-3n+2=3n-3-3n+2

-7n=-1

n=1/7

Originally Posted by FierceDeity

Solve this:
n-(5n+2)=3(n-1)

The trick is to get all the variables on one side and get an x=# to find the solution. Also, a term like -(something+something) is exactly the same as (-1)(something+something), so you can distribute the negative sign just like you would any other number.

Lets come up with a similar problem, but with different terms for an example. Oh, say...

3x-(4x+3)=2(x-4)

First, let's distribute the 2 on the right side of the equals sign. This means we will multiply the 2 on the outside of the parentheses to all terms on the inside. Doing this should get you...

3x-(4x+3)=2(x)+2(-4)
3x-(4x+3)=2x-8

Move the 2x term to the other side of the equals by subtracting it on both sides like so...

3x-(4x+3)-2x=2x-2x-8
3x-(4x+3)-2x=-8

From here we find two like terms on the left side of the equals sign, 3x and -2x. Let's combine the terms 3x and -2x with simple math, leaving us with...

x-(4x+3)=-8

Remember the distribution thing I mentioned in the first paragraph? We apply this to the terms in parentheses and get...

x+(-1)(4x)+(-1)(3)=-8
x-4x-3=-8

Subtract -3 from both sides and combine like terms x and -4x, like we have done before to get...

-3x=-5

But we're still not done. Since we want to know what n is equal to, we have to get rid of that -3 in front of it. We can divide both sides by -3 to get 1x on the right side, leaving us with our desired lone x term. And thus...

-3x/-3=-5/-3

The -3's cancel on the left, and we end up with...

x=5/3

We're done!

If any of these examples leave you confused, (or if, God forbid, I made a mistake), lemme know. I might not be around to answer and of these questions, but I'm sure someone else will be willing to help you out.

EDIT: DAMNIT DR. FISH, YOU STOLE MY THUNDER. D:<

Originally Posted by Dr. Fish

You know the distributive property, right? That means whenever you have something like:

x(y+z)

You can multiply the number outside the parentheses by each term in the parentheses, resulting in:

xy + xz

We will use that here, so:

n-(5n+2)=3(n-1)

Is the same thing as:

n-1(5n+2)=3(n-1)

...right? So you just take -1 times each term in the first parentheses and 3 times each term in the second parentheses, resulting in:

n-5n-2=3n-3

Then you just combine like terms and get the n variable to one side, then divide out the multiplier:

-4n-2=3n-3

-4n-2-3n+2=3n-3-3n+2

-7n=-1

n=1/7

Originally Posted by Snafu

The trick is to get all the variables on one side and get an x=# to find the solution. Also, a term like -(something+something) is exactly the same as (-1)(something+something), so you can distribute the negative sign just like you would any other number.

Lets come up with a similar problem, but with different terms for an example. Oh, say...

3x-(4x+3)=2(x-4)

First, let's distribute the 2 on the right side of the equals sign. This means we will multiply the 2 on the outside of the parentheses to all terms on the inside. Doing this should get you...

3x-(4x+3)=2(x)+2(-4)
3x-(4x+3)=2x-8

Move the 2x term to the other side of the equals by subtracting it on both sides like so...

3x-(4x+3)-2x=2x-2x-8
3x-(4x+3)-2x=-8

From here we find two like terms on the left side of the equals sign, 3x and -2x. Let's combine the terms 3x and -2x with simple math, leaving us with...

x-(4x+3)=-8

Remember the distribution thing I mentioned in the first paragraph? We apply this to the terms in parentheses and get...

x+(-1)(4x)+(-1)(3)=-8
x-4x-3=-8

Subtract -3 from both sides and combine like terms x and -4x, like we have done before to get...

-3x=-5

But we're still not done. Since we want to know what n is equal to, we have to get rid of that -3 in front of it. We can divide both sides by -3 to get 1x on the right side, leaving us with our desired lone x term. And thus...

-3x/-3=-5/-3

The -3's cancel on the left, and we end up with...

x=5/3

We're done!

If any of these examples leave you confused, (or if, God forbid, I made a mistake), lemme know. I might not be around to answer and of these questions, but I'm sure someone else will be willing to help you out.

EDIT: DAMNIT DR. FISH, YOU STOLE MY THUNDER. D:<

Ok, that makes more sense now. And don't worry, 2 answers are better then one because now I have something to compare and contrast to. Thanks guys.

Someone already solved this, but:
n-(5n+2)=3(n-1)
Distributive Property
n-5n-2=3n-3
Simplification
-4n-2=3n-3
Adding
1=7n
Dividing
1/7=n

Originally Posted by FierceDeity

Ok, that makes more sense now. And don't worry, 2 answers are better then one because now I have something to compare and contrast to. Thanks guys.

Just so you don't get confused, Snafu used a similar problem (which is the best way to go about helping people in the Temple of Knowledge considering ZU doesn't want others to cheat their way through their studies), that's why he came up with a different answer.

Yes, Dr. Fish's answer is correct, however Snafu's method in trying to teach you in the correct manner in going about this (to not give away the answer).

-BGS

Originally Posted by BigGoronSword

Just so you don't get confused, Snafu used a similar problem (which is the best way to go about helping people in the Temple of Knowledge considering ZU doesn't want others to cheat their way through their studies), that's why he came up with a different answer.

Yes, Dr. Fish's answer is correct, however Snafu's method in trying to teach you in the correct manner in going about this (to not give away the answer).

-BGS

It's ok, I had the answer already from a process of deduction from the other possible answers, and just in case someone happened to be wrong I would know. I was more curious to the steps involved. I know about the properties and such yet applying everything and remembering the rules and steps is hard for me. Now at least I have a better idea of how to go about this. I appreciate your time and help.