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

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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

Solve for X:

\( 3x=18 \)

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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