Question

1. What would be the first step to solve for y in the equation below?

5x + 3y = 20
a subtract 5x to both sides
b divide 5 to both sides
c add 5x to both sides
d divide 3 to both sides

Answer 1

First step would be a

Answer 2

a. subtract 5x to both sides

Explanation:

In order to solve for a variable, you have to isolate it. Since, we are solving for y, the first thing we need to do is put 3y alone on one side of the equation.

Because 5x is being added to 3y, we can undo this by subtracting 5x from both sides.