Pre-Algebra Examples

$y - 4 = - \frac{1}{3} x - \frac{1}{3}$

Step 1

The standard form of a linear equation is $A x + B y = C$ .

Step 2

Find the LCD of $\frac{1}{3}$ and $\frac{1}{3}$ .

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Step 2.1

Finding the LCD of a list of values is the same as finding the LCM of the denominators of those values.

$3, 3$

Step 2.2

Since $3, 3$ contains both numbers and variables, there are two steps to find the LCM. Find LCM for the numeric part $3, 3$ then find LCM for the variable part .

Step 2.3

The LCM is the smallest positive number that all of the numbers divide into evenly.

1. List the prime factors of each number.

2. Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number.

Step 2.4

Since $3$ has no factors besides $1$ and $3$ .

$3$ is a prime number

Step 2.5

The LCM of $3, 3$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either number.

$3$

Step 3

Multiply both sides by $3$ .

$3 (y - 4) = 3 (- \frac{1}{3} x - \frac{1}{3})$

Step 4

Simplify the left side.

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Step 4.1

Simplify $3 (y - 4)$ .

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Step 4.1.1

Apply the distributive property.

$3 y + 3 \cdot - 4 = 3 (- \frac{1}{3} x - \frac{1}{3})$

Step 4.1.2

Multiply $3$ by $- 4$ .

$3 y - 12 = 3 (- \frac{1}{3} x - \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5

Simplify the right side.

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Step 5.1

Simplify $3 (- \frac{1}{3} x - \frac{1}{3})$ .

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Step 5.1.1

Combine $x$ and $\frac{1}{3}$ .

$3 y - 12 = 3 (- \frac{x}{3} - \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5.1.2

Apply the distributive property.

$3 y - 12 = 3 (- \frac{x}{3}) + 3 (- \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5.1.3

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 5.1.3.1

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{x}{3}$ into the numerator.

$3 y - 12 = 3 \frac{- x}{3} + 3 (- \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5.1.3.2

Cancel the common factor.

$3 y - 12 = 3 \frac{- x}{3} + 3 (- \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5.1.3.3

Rewrite the expression.

$3 y - 12 = - x + 3 (- \frac{1}{3})$

Step 5.1.4

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 5.1.4.1

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{1}{3}$ into the numerator.

$3 y - 12 = - x + 3 (\frac{- 1}{3})$

Step 5.1.4.2

Cancel the common factor.

$3 y - 12 = - x + 3 (\frac{- 1}{3})$

Step 5.1.4.3

Rewrite the expression.

$3 y - 12 = - x - 1$

Step 6

Move all terms containing variables to the left side of the equation.

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Step 6.1

Add $x$ to both sides of the equation.

$3 y - 12 + x = - 1$

Step 6.2

Move $- 12$ .

$3 y + x - 12 = - 1$

Step 6.3

Reorder $3 y$ and $x$ .

$x + 3 y - 12 = - 1$

Step 7

Move all terms not containing a variable to the right side of the equation.

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Step 7.1

Add $12$ to both sides of the equation.

$x + 3 y = - 1 + 12$

Step 7.2

Add $- 1$ and $12$ .

$x + 3 y = 11$

Step 8