Question

Which table best represents the steps to solve the equation x over 8 - 5 = -1?

Answer 1

Solving the equation, is as follows:

(x/8) - 5 = -1
x/8  = -1 + 5
x/8  = 4
x = 8(4)
x = 32

Therefore, the correct steps from the choices given are:

Step 1: x over 8 = -1 + 5 The same number + 5 can be added to both sides of the equation
Step 2: x over 8 = 4 Adding -1 and 5 on the right hand side
Step 3: x = 4 • 8 The same number 8 can be multiplied on both sides of the equation
Step 4: x = 32 Multiplying 4 and 8 on the right hand side

Answer 2

If you would like to solve the equation x/8 - 5 = -1, you can do this using the following steps:

x/8 - 5 = -1
x/8 = -1 + 5
x/8 = 4      /*8
x = 4 * 8 
x = 32

The correct result would be:
Step Justification
Step 1: x over 8 = -1 + 5 The same number + 5 can be added to both sides of the equation
Step 2: x over 8 = 4 Adding -1 and 5 on the right hand side
Step 3: x = 4 • 8 The same number 8 can be multiplied on both sides of the equation
Step 4: x = 32 Multiplying 4 and 8 on the right hand side