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.
