This equation doesn’t look complicated… or does it? Judge for yourself: 3(y + 5) – 4 = 2(2y – 3) + 7

Maths can be surprisingly fun, especially when you come across an example that looks simple but requires complete concentration. We have just such a challenge for you. Test your knowledge of algebraic operations and see if your school skills are still working as they should.

Algebraic equations are one of the disciplines that evoke mixed feelings in people. Some love them for their elegance and logic, others despair at the number of steps needed to get them right. The truth is that these tasks are a great tool for developing structured thinking. They teach you how to plan your progress, check intermediate results and not get confused by parentheses or signs. And believe me, even experienced solvers will occasionally make a mistake that sends the whole calculation in the wrong direction.

What’s in store for you today?

Your opponent today is the equation: 3(y + 5) – 4 = 2(2y – 3) + 7. The goal is to calculate the value of the unknown y. It looks like a standard high school math problem, but it’s examples like this that show who has a grasp of the basics. You’ll need to get the parentheses right, adjust the equation so that all the terms with y are on one side and the numbers on the other, and then only arrive at the final result.

The correct solution

Were you able to arrive at the correct number? Now is your chance to check.

The result is y = 10.

The procedure looks like this: First, multiply the parentheses: 3y + 15 – 4 = 4y – 6 + 7. Adjust to 3y + 11 = 4y + 1. Move the variables to the left and the constants to the right: 3y – 4y = 1 – 11. After simplifying, we get -y = -10, which after multiplying by (-1) gives y = 10.

Send this equation to your friends or colleagues and see how they tackle it. Math puzzles aren’t just intellectual fun – they help keep the mind sharp, improve problem-solving skills and strengthen patience. If you enjoy this type of problem, we have more IQ tests and puzzles ready for you that are definitely not worth a boring afternoon. We look forward to seeing you.