Question

The model represents an equation. What value of x makes the equation true?

Answer 1

Let's build the equation counting how many x's and 1's are there on each side.

On the left hand side we have 5x's and 8 1's, for a total of $5x+8$

On the left hand side we have 3x's and 10 1's, for a total of $3x+10$

So, the equation we want to solve is

$5x+8 = 3x+10$

Subtract 3x from both sides:

$2x+8 = 10$

Subtract 8 from both sides:

$2x=2$

Divide both sides by 2:

$x=1$