Question

Tyreese is using algebra tiles to solve the equation below.

Answer 1

Answer: step 3 is the correct first step

Step-by-step explanation:

Let us number the steps

1) Tyreese’s first step is to

remove one x-tile from both sides.

2) remove two x-tiles from the left side.

3) add one positive x-tile to both sides.

4) add two positive x-tiles to both sides.

The equation which Tyreese wants to solve is

2x + 5 = - x + ( -1 ). The aim is to make x to be on only one side

1) If she applies step 1, it becomes

2x - x + 5 = - x - x + ( -1 )

x + 5 = -2x - 1

x is still on both sides, so step 1 is wrong.

2) If she applies step 2, it becomes

2x - 2x + 5 = - x + ( -1 )

5 = -x - 1

step 2 is wrong because whatever you do to the left hand side must also be done to the right hand side. So 2x must be removed from both sides.

3) If she applies step 3, it becomes

2x +x + 5 = - x + x + ( -1 )

3x + 5 = - 1

x is on only the left hand side of the equation, so step 3 is right.

4) If she applies step 4, it becomes

2x + 2x + 5 = - x + 2x + ( -1 )

4x + 5 = x - 1

x is still on both sides, so step 4 is wrong.

Answer 2

Answer:

add one positive x-tile to both sides.

Step-by-step explanation:

3) If she applies to step 3, it becomes

2x +x + 5 = - x + x + ( -1 )

3x + 5 = - 1

x is on only the left-hand side of the equation, so step 3 is right.

Consider the provided equation.

2x + 5 = -x + 1

Now to solve the above equation first isolate the variables.

To isolate the variables add x to both the side of the equation.

2x + 5 + x = -x + 1 + x

Now add the like terms.

3x + 5 =  1

Here we add the x tiles to both the side of the equation.