NationStates Jolt Archive

Help me with this problem! A number gives the same result divided by -6 as when subtracted from -6. What is the number?

-7.2

X - 6 = X / -6

-6x + 36 = X

-7x + 36 = 0

-7x = - 36

X = 36/7

Test 1 = (36/7) - 6 = (36-42)/7 = -6/7
Test 2 = (36/7) / -6 = 36/-42 = -6/7

Wait... Isn't "subtracted" from -6, -6-x?

-X - 6 = X / -6

6x + 36 = X

5x + 36 = 0

5x = -36

X = -36/5

(post 6666! :confused: )

-X - 6 = X / -6

-6x + 36 = -X

-5x + 36 = 0

-5x = - 36

X = 36/5

Maybe I was right first time ...

My working:

X/-6 = -6 -x

x = -6(-6-x)

x = -36 -6x

x +6x = -36

7x = -36

x = -36/7

Test:

-6 -5.14285714285714285714285714285714 = -11.1428571428571428571428571428571

-5.14285714285714285714285714285714 /-6 =
-11.1428571428571428571428571428571

-5.14285714285714285714285714285714
wouldn't it be easier to write -36/7 instead of that long number? ;)

My working:

X/-6 = -6 -x

x = -6(-6-x)

x = -36 -6x

x +6x = -36

7x = -36

x = -36/7

Test:

-6 -5.14285714285714285714285714285714 = -11.1428571428571428571428571428571

-5.14285714285714285714285714285714 /-6 =
-11.1428571428571428571428571428571

This is giving me head-ache ... (too many attempts)

but

x = -6(-6-x) = 36 + 6x

My working:

X/-6 = -6 -x

x = -6(-6-x)

x = -36 -6x

x +6x = -36

7x = -36

x = -36/7

Test:

-6 -5.14285714285714285714285714285714 = -11.1428571428571428571428571428571

-5.14285714285714285714285714285714 /-6 =
-11.1428571428571428571428571428571

Third line:
It should be:
x = 36 + 6x
not
x = -36 - 6x
remember, you're multiplying each number by (-6), so it's:
(-6)*(-6) and (-6)*(-x)

Also, (-36/7)/-6 doesn't equal -11 1/7. It equals 6/7.

wouldn't it be easier to write -36/7 instead of that long number? ;)

It would, but thats what using a calculator gives me. I may have absolutely messed up what happens when you multiply a minus number by a minus number though... I have a feeling that I have.

Third line:
It should be:


Yeah, I caught on to that as you posted: this is what comes of relying on a fairly dodgy calculator to do your checks. The one built into windows doesn't seem to like the sequence '-1*-1' for example and gives you an answer of '-2', which clearly isn't right.

My working:

X/-6 = -6 -x

x = -6(-6-x)

x = 36 + 6x

x - 6x = 36

-5x = 36

x = -36/5


Corrected. There you go, -36/5

My working:

X/-6 = -6 -x

x = -6(-6-x)

x = -36 -6x

x +6x = -36

7x = -36

x = -36/7

Test:

-6 -5.14285714285714285714285714285714 = -11.1428571428571428571428571428571

-5.14285714285714285714285714285714 /-6 =
-11.1428571428571428571428571428571

excuse me, but how can -5 point something / -6 ever be something negative? something negative divided with something negative will always be positive. and it's definitely not -11, it would be ~0.857.
it doesn't matter anyhow, because the answer isn't right.

x / -6 = -6 - x

x = -6 (-6 -x)

x= 36 + 6x (negative x negative = positive)

-5x = 36

x = -7.2

test: -7.2 / -6 = 1.2

-6 - (-7.2) = -6 + 7.2 = 1.2

excuse me, but how can -5 point something / -6 ever be something negative? something negative divided with something negative will always be positive.

I know. I scribbled my workings out on the back of an envelope and then checked the answer I had got using the calculator in Windows. It seems unable to tell the difference between this set of keystrokes '-1-1' and '-1*-1', which meant I didn't feel the need to check over my workings initially as the Calculator appeared to have confirmed my results, and I just typed them up on autopilot. A case of a stupid slip compounded by a failing in technology.

Could someone else check whether their Calculator also displays this peculiar 'feature'?

alright so... I am not a math freak so what is the answer?

alright so... I am not a math freak so what is the answer?

-7.2

Help me with this problem! A number gives the same result divided by -6 as when subtracted from -6. What is the number?
Clearly the answer is: i.

Irrational tho' that answer may be.

Clearly the answer is: i.

Irrational tho' that answer may be.

:rolleyes:

That was bad. Really bad.

-6 -X = X/-6
36 + 6X = X
36 + 5X= 0
5X= -36
X= -36/5

TEST:
-36/5 / -6 = -6/5
-6 -36/5 = -6/5

-36/5 = -7.2

Yep. -7.2


How come nobody answered me when I had questions on physics a few months ago...

Clearly the answer is: i.

Irrational tho' that answer may be.

But i isn't irrational, it's complex. :p

But i isn't irrational, it's complex. :p
( message in Moderation forum )
LOOK! LOOK! They are flaming i, i doesn't like it!
---
I hearby now begin to beat myself upside the head with my college calculus tome...

So much discussion over algebra? @.@

I love the i !
Ever notice that when you're in touristy areas they use i for information areas... I always call them the imaginary areas! XD >.>