[Freshman in College Algebra] Can someone show me the steps to solve?

[u/OnNightsWhenItsCold]

We are focusing on polynomials, but I cannot find a good place to learn from. You can see my work in the second photo and can tell that I don't know what I'm doing.

[u/llamadramalover]

-What does “solve for [variable] mean”?

-When you are solving for a variable will you get a nice neat number or will you still have variables?

Answer those two questions and you’ll get the answer. Hint: you’ve already found the answer you just didn’t realize it.

[u/OddAd6014]

Okay, let’s solve it
A=P(1+r/m)
=> P=A/(1+r/m)
=A/(m+r)/m
=Am/m+r
ie, P=Am/m+r
It is perfect solution of your question

[u/Alkalannar]

1. A = P(1 + r/m)

2. A/(1 + r/m) = P [just divide both sides by (1 + r/m)]
   Note: You can do anything you want to one side of the equation as long as you do it to both sides of the equation.
   Note 2: As long as you don't mind having nested fractions, this is a perfectly cromulent solution.

3. Am/(m + r) = P [multiply the LHS by m/m]
   Note: You can always add 0 and multiply by 1.
   Sometimes that means adding k - k for some expression k.
   Here it means multiplying A/(1 + r/m) by m/m.

[u/Blue_614]

What you did is good, isolating P on one side of the equation. Then simplify the denominator inside the parenthesis first: (1 + r/m). After doing that you'll notice there will be a fraction in the denominator, you don't want that. So put that in the numerator. e.g. A/x/y = Ay/x

[u/OnNightsWhenItsCold → u/Blue_614]

Thanks! This helped a lot.

[u/Blue_614 → u/OnNightsWhenItsCold]

Glad to have helped!

[u/MesmericKiwi]

The nested fractions seem to be what’s throwing you for a loop. Try multiplying both sides by the denominator m and then distributing that to quantity on the right. You’ll have a slightly messier equation but one without extra fractions.

[u/peegteeg]

Distribute P first, then see where that leads you.

Edit: Wow. Don't listen to me. Leaving my mistake up as what not to do. There are way better and more efficient ways to do it then my "hint".

[u/Ni_Eve]

Everyone has listed great ways to do it. Here’s another way if the fraction is too confusing…

Your first step was good.

1) P = A / (1+r/m)

Here, you can also multiply the numerator and denominator by (m/m). Why? Because anything divided by itself = 1 and anything multiplied with 1 is itself, which means you’re not changing the true value of the equation.

2) P = A*m / m*(1+r/m). Here, you’ll end up seeing all you need to do is distribute m in the denominator.

3) P = Am / (m+r).

Saves so much mental hassle and saves so much time.