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So i have the problem 

6 = 1 - 2n + 5

I subtract 1 and 5 from both sides leaving me with

 

0 = -2n

would the answer be not possible or n = 0

 

Whats the difference?

 Sep 24, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+3453 
+5

Well, it is possible to get a answer, because you would have

0 = -2n             ---Divide both sides by 2:

0/2 = -2/2n

0/2 = -n        ---0/2 is still 0, if you have 0 candy and you divide it into 2 groups, each group still gets 0 candy!

0 = -n            ---Multiply both sides by a negative:

-0 = -(-n)

-0 = n            ---0 and +0 are the same thing, read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signed_zero

0 = n

n = 0

 

The difference is that n = 0 is saying that 0 is simply the only solution for n. Not possible means that you just can't solve it. For example, you couldn't solve n = 2 ÷ 0, because you can't divide by 0. It doesn't make any sence!

 

Hope this helps. I can try to explain it better if you still not getting it, just send me a message.

 Sep 24, 2014
 #1
avatar+3453 
+5
Best Answer

Well, it is possible to get a answer, because you would have

0 = -2n             ---Divide both sides by 2:

0/2 = -2/2n

0/2 = -n        ---0/2 is still 0, if you have 0 candy and you divide it into 2 groups, each group still gets 0 candy!

0 = -n            ---Multiply both sides by a negative:

-0 = -(-n)

-0 = n            ---0 and +0 are the same thing, read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signed_zero

0 = n

n = 0

 

The difference is that n = 0 is saying that 0 is simply the only solution for n. Not possible means that you just can't solve it. For example, you couldn't solve n = 2 ÷ 0, because you can't divide by 0. It doesn't make any sence!

 

Hope this helps. I can try to explain it better if you still not getting it, just send me a message.

NinjaDevo Sep 24, 2014

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