Question

Find and explain the error in the Solution given.

Answer 1

ANSWER

(1). $2(x - 4) = 56$

We expand bracket to get,

(2). $2x - 8 = 56$

Next, we add the additive inverse of -8, which is 8 to both sides of the equation to get,

(3). Error:
$2x - 8 + 8 = 56 - 8$

This is where the error occurred. Instead of adding 8 on the right hand side, 8 was rather subtracted.

Expected equation:
$2x - 8 + 8 = 56 + 8$

(4). Error:

$2x = 48$
Expected equation:

$2x = 64$

(5). Error:

$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{48}{2}$

Expected equation:

$\frac{2x}{2} = \frac{64}{2}$

(6). Error:

$x = 24$

Expected answer:

$x = 32$