Help with simple equation question

jjohnson50 wrote:As I come to the end of an equation, I get:

-15=-6

From this point, what calculation doI use to get the final answer, which is:

-2/5

Thank you

I think you need a variable somewhere here, since -15 cannot equal -6


Let's say the equation is -15x = -6
We can isolate x by dividing both sides by -15 to get: -15x/(-15) = (-6)/(-15)
Simplify to get: x = 2/5

Cheers,
Brent

jjohnson50 wrote:Yes, you are right, sorry about that:

-15y = -6


y=-2/5

Thank you

If the equation is -15y = -6, then y = 2/5 (not -2/5)

Cheers,
Brent

Hi jjohnson50,

There's a rule in algebra that essentially says "if you do something to one side of an equation, you have to do it to the other side."

Here, we have -15y = -6

If we want to isolate the y, then we have to divide BOTH sides by - 15

So, we'd have -15y/-15 = -6/-15

On the left side, the -15s cancel out:

y = -6/-15

On the right side, the negatives cancel out and the fraction reduces (divide the numerator and denominator by 3)

y = 6/15 = 2/5

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich