Scuff Posted May 11, 2016 Posted May 11, 2016 4 - 2x =g -2x=g - 4 X = (4 - g) / 2 Help me out here; it's been a few years. ;) How does the negative distribute when you move the 2 over? Why is the 2 positive, but everything on top opposite? Would it also be correct to say x = (g - 4) / -2? Quote
Cosmos Posted May 11, 2016 Posted May 11, 2016 4 - 2x =g -2x=g - 4 X = (4 - g) / 2 Help me out here; it's been a few years. ;) How does the negative distribute when you move the 2 over? Why is the 2 positive, but everything on top opposite? Would it also be correct to say x = (g - 4) / -2? Yes, but it would not be simplified. A fraction with a negative denominator is not considered simplified. So the negative could be applied to the entire fraction: g - 4 x = - ---------- 2 Even better, distribute the negative through the numerator: -g + 4 x = ---------- 2 That one is not wrong, but most mathematicians prefer not to lead with a negative term, so this would be better: 4 - g x = ---------- 2 These display fine on my screen. I'm hoping it works for others as well. 4 Quote
kiana Posted May 12, 2016 Posted May 12, 2016 Related to the excellent explanation above, being able to move smoothly between -(g-4) and 4-g is something that people tend to struggle with in my lower-division classes at the college. It is a subskill worth practicing if your student struggles with it. 2 Quote
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