Solve Linear Equation: m+3m-17m+6=-20 Step by Step

Linear Equations with Negative Coefficients

m+3m17m+6=20 m+3m-17m+6=-20

m=? m=\text{?}

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 Collect terms
00:10 Isolate the unknown M
00:34 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

m+3m17m+6=20 m+3m-17m+6=-20

m=? m=\text{?}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve the problem, we will use the following steps:

  • Step 1: Simplify the equation by combining like terms.
  • Step 2: Isolate the variable m m using algebraic methods.
  • Step 3: Solve for m m and verify the solution.

Let's begin:

Step 1: Simplify the equation m+3m17m+6=20 m + 3m - 17m + 6 = -20 .
Combine the coefficients of m m :

(1+317)m+6=20 (1 + 3 - 17)m + 6 = -20

This simplifies to:

13m+6=20 -13m + 6 = -20

Step 2: Isolate m m .
Subtract 6 from both sides:

13m+66=206 -13m + 6 - 6 = -20 - 6

Simplifies to:

13m=26 -13m = -26

Step 3: Solve for m m by dividing both sides by -13:

m=2613 m = \frac{-26}{-13}

The division simplifies to:

m=2 m = 2

Therefore, the solution to the problem is m=2 m = 2 , which corresponds to choice 2 in the given options.

3

Final Answer

2

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Combining Terms: Add coefficients of like terms: 1 + 3 - 17 = -13
  • Technique: Isolate variable by subtracting 6: -13m + 6 - 6 = -20 - 6
  • Check: Substitute m = 2: 2 + 6 - 34 + 6 = -20 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Incorrectly combining like terms
    Don't add 1 + 3 - 17 = 13 (forgetting the negative) = 13m instead of -13m! This gives a positive coefficient when it should be negative. Always carefully track positive and negative signs when combining coefficients.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Find the value of the parameter X

\( \frac{1}{3}x=\frac{1}{9} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I get a negative coefficient for m?

+

When you combine 1m+3m17m 1m + 3m - 17m , you get (1+317)m=13m (1 + 3 - 17)m = -13m . The -17 is larger than 1 + 3, so the result is negative!

How do I divide by a negative number?

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When dividing 13m=26 -13m = -26 , you get m=2613=2 m = \frac{-26}{-13} = 2 . Remember: negative divided by negative equals positive!

What if I made a sign error in combining terms?

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Always double-check your arithmetic! Write it out clearly: 1+317 1 + 3 - 17 . Do 1+3=4 1 + 3 = 4 first, then 417=13 4 - 17 = -13 .

Can I check my answer a different way?

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Yes! Substitute m=2 m = 2 back: 2+3(2)17(2)+6=2+634+6=20 2 + 3(2) - 17(2) + 6 = 2 + 6 - 34 + 6 = -20 . If both sides equal -20, you're correct!

Why subtract 6 from both sides?

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To isolate the variable term 13m -13m , you need to eliminate the constant +6. Subtracting 6 from both sides keeps the equation balanced.

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