y - 1 3/4 = -3 1/2

y=-1 3/4

can you show me the steps?

y-1 3/4= -3 1/2

y=-3 1/2+1 3/4
y=-3 2/4+1 3/4
y=-2 6/4+1 3/4
y=-1 3/4

To solve the equation y - 1 3/4 = -3 1/2, we need to isolate the variable y.

Step 1: Convert the mixed numbers to improper fractions.
- 1 3/4 can be converted to (4 * 1 + 3) / 4 = 7/4.
- -3 1/2 can be converted to (2 * -3 + 1) / 2 = -5/2.

Now the equation becomes y - 7/4 = -5/2.

Step 2: Get rid of the fraction by multiplying every term in the equation by the common denominator, which is 4 in this case.

4(y - 7/4) = 4(-5/2) simplifies to 4y - 7 = -10.

Step 3: Solve for y by isolating the variable.

Add 7 to both sides of the equation: 4y - 7 + 7 = -10 + 7.
This results in 4y = -3.

Step 4: Divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for y.

4y / 4 = -3 / 4.
Thus, y = -3/4.

Therefore, the solution to the equation y - 1 3/4 = -3 1/2 is y = -3/4.