Change the equation from standard form to slope-intercept form by solving for y.

11x−8y=−48

Bob's work:

−8y=−59x

y=7.375

Bill's work:

−8y=−11x−48

y=118x+6

Bud's work:

−8y=−11x−48

y=−11x+6

Who solved for y correctly?

1 answer

To convert the equation \( 11x - 8y = -48 \) from standard form to slope-intercept form, we need to isolate \( y \).

Starting with the original equation: \[ 11x - 8y = -48 \]

Subtract \( 11x \) from both sides: \[ -8y = -11x - 48 \]

Next, divide every term by \(-8\) to solve for \(y\): \[ y = \frac{-11x}{-8} + \frac{-48}{-8} \] \[ y = \frac{11}{8}x + 6 \]

Now, let's analyze each person's work:

  • Bob's work: \(-8y = -59x\) (This is incorrect.) \(y = 7.375\) (This result is also incorrect.)

  • Bill's work: \(-8y = -11x - 48\) (This is correct.) \(y = 118x + 6\) (This result is incorrect; it appears there was a mistake in simplification when dividing.)

  • Bud's work: \(-8y = -11x - 48\) (This is correct.) \(y = -11x + 6\) (This is incorrect; the direction of the coefficient of \(x\) should be positive since it’s divided by \(-8\), leading to a positive slope.)

The correct form is: \[ y = \frac{11}{8}x + 6 \]

Thus, none of them solved it correctly.