Jalil and Victoria are each asked to solve the equation ax – c = bx + d for x. Jalil says it is not possible to isolate x becaus

Question

3 years ago

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Jalil and Victoria are each asked to solve the equation ax – c = bx + d for x. Jalil says it is not possible to isolate x becaus

e each x has a different unknown coefficient. Victoria believes there is a solution, and shows Jalil her work:
ax – c = bx + d
ax – bx = d + c
x (a – b) = d + c
x = x equals StartFraction d plus c Over a minus b EndFraction.
How can Victoria justify Step 3 of her work?

Rewrite the expression on the left using the distributive property.
Multiply both sides by x.
Rewrite the expression on the left using subtraction.
Divide both sides by x.

Mathematics