Algebra Question

Hey gang,

A little help for the mathematically challenged, if you’d be so kind.

In the equation:

(x-y)/x = 0.35

How could I solve for x?

Thanks,
Thwartme

(x-y)/x=.35
x-y=.35x
-y=.35x-x
-y=x(.35-1)
x=-y/.65

That should be your answer, some of the lines could be formatted differently, but in the end you should get a similar(well, the same) answer.

(x-y)/x = .35

x-y = .35x : multiply by x

-y = .35x -x : subtract x

y = x - .35x : invert signs

y = x (1 - .35) : factor out x

x = y / .65 : divide

WAIT, missed a negative sign.
This is the correct answer.
(x-y)/x=.35
x-y=.35x
-y=.35x-x
-y=x(.35-1)
x=-y/-.65
x=y/.65

Man, that was fast! You folks rock!

And, as a footnote, multiplying both sides of the equation by x requires the assumption that x =/ 0

How come we’re doing your homework?

That wouldn’t be a requirement of multiplication would it? As presented to us, X can’t be zero since it’s already on the bottom.
[sub]BTW Dexter, I just saw The Philidelphia Story, I always wondered what your name meant[/sub]

The thing is, (x, y) = (0, 0) is not a solution to the original equation, even though the form x = y / 0.65 would make you think it is.