Question

Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made. −5x − 16 = 8 Step 1: −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16 Step 2: −5x = 24 Step 3: -5x/5=24/5 Step 4: x =24/5 Select one: a. Step 1: He should have subtracted 16 from each side. b. Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −5. c. Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −5. d. Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.

Answer 1

Answer is

d. Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.

Answer 2

−5x − 16 = 8                   Proof=Given
−5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16   Proof=Addition Property of Equality
−5x = 24                         Proof=Addition Property of Equality
-5x/5=24/5                      This is where we find his fault. You have to divide by whatever the number that alters the variable is. In this case, that's -5. The answer is therefore D. Step 3: He should have divided both sides by 5.