Step by step
The question
Question: solve 4(y + 1) = 8.
4(y + 1) = 8
1 Remove the 4
The 4 multiplies the whole bracket.
Easy way: remove the 4 first.
To remove times 4, we divide by 4.
We do it on both sides.
Why both sides?
The = sign means both sides are the same amount.
If we change only one side, they are not the same any more.
4 divided by 4 is 1.
So just the bracket is left.
8 divided by 4 is 2.
84 = 2
Now we have y + 1 = 2.
We don't need the bracket any more.
y + 1 = 2
2 Remove the + 1
We want y by itself.
The + 1 is in the way.
To remove + 1, we take away 1.
We do it on both sides, so they stay equal.
y + 1 − 1 = 2 − 1
+ 1 and − 1 make zero.
Cross them out.
2 − 1 = 1.
2 − 1 = 1
So y = 1!
y = 1
3 Check
Let's check: put 1 in place of y.
Check: 4(1 + 1) = 4(2) = 8
We get 8, the same as the right side.
So y = 1 is right!
Let's look back.
First: remove the 4.
Then: remove the + 1.
Last: check.
Answer
y = 1