How to Solve for Y in an Algebraic Solution
- 1). Get Y by itself on one side of the "equals" sign in your equation (if it isn't already). For example, if your equation is 25 = 5Y, this equates to 25 = 5 multiplied by Y. The 5 must move across the equals sign to become a part of the 25. Because the 5 is part of a multiplication equation on one side of the equals sign, it must become part of a division equation on the other side of the equals sign. 25 = 5Y becomes the same as 25/5 = Y.
- 2). Solve your equation using a calculator. If 25 divided by 5 = Y and 25 divided by 5 = 5, that means that Y = 5.
- 3). Plug the number you found in Step 2 back into your original equation to verify that it works. If the original equation was 25 = 5Y and you solved Y = 5 in Step 2, the original equation can now be written as 25 = 5 x 5. Because 5 x 5 = 25, the number you solved for Y is correct.
