2/5y -7=-11
There are several interpretations of the above eqn. They could be ...
(2/5)y - 7 = -11, or two-fifths of y minus 7 equals negative 11
2/(5y) - 7 = -11, or two divided by 5y, then minus 7 equals negative 11
2/(5y -7) = -11, or two divided by (5y - 7) equals negative 7
It can make such a difference when you use brackets (or not).
1st case: (2/5)y - 7 = -11
Multiply both sides by 5,
2y - 35 = -55
2y = 35 - 55 = -20
y = -10
2nd case: 2/(5y) - 7 = -11
Multiply both sides by 5y,
2 - 35y = -55y
2 = 35y - 55y
2 = -20y
y = -1/10
3rd case: 2/(5y - 7) = -11
Multiply both sides by (5y - 7),
2 = -11(5y - 7)
2 = -55y + 77
55y = 77 - 2
55y = 75
11y = 15
y = 15/11
So there are three possible solutions, depending upon the intgerpretation of teh expression you wrote down, viz.
y = -10, y = -1/10, y = 15/11