How to solve -2/5 + y = -1/3?

2 Answers
Feb 20, 2018

y=#1/15#

Explanation:

We can start by getting y by its self, and we do this by completing the opposite operation of the number we want to move to both sides.
We want to move #-2/5# to the right, so we add #2/5# to both sides:

#-2/5+(2/5)+y=-1/3+(2/5)#

That will cancel with the #-2/5# on the left giving us:

#y=-1/3+2/5#

Before we can combine, we have to find Lowest Common Denominators (LCD) for the fractions. It looks like 15 is the LCD for the fractions, so we multiply appropriately:

#y=(5/5)*-1/3+(3/3)*2/5#

=

#y=-5/15+6/15#

After combining, we get the final answer of:

#y=1/15#

Feb 20, 2018

#y=1/15#

Explanation:

#-2/5+y=-1/3#
Adding #2/5 # on both sides

#2/5-2/5+y=-1/3+2/5#
Cancelling #-2/5 and +2/5#
#y=-1/3+2/5#

#-1/3+2/5=(-1xx5+2xx3)/(3xx5)#

#=(-5+6)/15#
#-1/3+2/5=1/15#
Hence,
#y=1/15#

Check:
#lhs#
#=2/5+y#
#=-2/5+1/15#
#=-1/3#
#=rhs#

Thus, verified