Question

Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made.

Answer 1

-5x-16=8

-5x=24

$\frac{x}{-5} = \frac{24}{-5}$

$-x=\frac{24}{-5}$

$x=\frac{24}{5}$

above is how to correctly solve the equation

The error is in step 3.

Step 3 as written: $\frac{-5x}{5} = \frac{24}{5}$

This is incorrect because you are removing the 5 from the -5x so it wouldn't be in the numerator.

Hope this helps