Question

Solve each prportion. (2/y-4)=(y+3/4)

Answer 1

y = 5, -4

Explanation:

To solve proportions you cross-multiply.

`(2)/(y-4) =(y+3)/(4) \rightarrow 2*4 = (y-4)*(y+3) \rightarrow 8=y^2-y-12`

Now that we have 8 = y^2 - y - 12, we must make the entire trinomial equal to 0 by subtracting 8 from both sides.

y^2 - y - 20 = 0

Factor the trinomial.

(y - 5)(y + 4) = 0

Make both factors equal to 0 to solve for both values of y.

• y - 5 = 0 --> y = 5
• y + 4 = 0 --> y = -4

y = 5, -4