Homework Help: Algebra Equation

1. Apr 24, 2006

Stilts

Hi, I've got this equation I need to figure out for my design project. It's been a few years since I did algebra and I just can't remember the next steps.

I've simplified to:

3y + (y*Pie)/2 = 62

but I can't figure out how to move everything around to get y.

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

2. Apr 24, 2006

siddharth

Stilts,
if ay+by=c, where a,b,c are constants, can you figure out how to solve for y? It's not that hard.
Try taking 'y' common

3. Apr 24, 2006

TD

So you've got $3y + \frac{\pi }{2}y = 62$. Now factor out y in the lhs and divide both sides by its coefficient you get.

4. Apr 24, 2006

Stilts

How do you get the symbol graphics TD?

So:

3y + (y*Pie)/2 = 62
3y + (Pie/2)y = 62
3 + Pie/2 = 62/y
62 / (Pie/2 + 3) = y
13.56 = y

My whole equation originally was:
3y + x = 62, with x = (y*Pie)/2
Making:
(y*Pie)/2 = x
(13.56*Pie)/2 = x
42.61 = x

However I've definately done something wrong:

3y + x = 62
3(13.56) + 42.61 62

Thanks for the help so far.

5. Apr 24, 2006

TD

It's LaTeX, click on it to see the code and check the first forum for information.

This is correct, but I'd leave an exact answer, 13.56 is an approximation.

$$y = \frac{{124}}{{\pi + 6}} \approx 13.56$$

It isn't 42.61, recheck that calculation.

6. Apr 24, 2006

Stilts

Yeah I wasn't using the approximations for calculating, just shortening for the forum.

Argh I had the right answer written down then lost it. x = 21.31.

Thanks heaps for the help dude, now it's time to get building.

7. Apr 24, 2006

TD

You're welcome, good luck