Question

A. Solve -8=(X + 2)/4

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  a) x = -34

  b) -8 = x/4 +2/4; x = -34

  c) solving without the rewrite is easier, it takes fewer steps and eliminates fractions right away

Step-by-step explanation:

a) -32 = x +2 . . . . multiply by 4

  -34 = x . . . . . . . subtract 2

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b)

  $-8 = \dfrac{x+2}{4}\qquad\text{given}\\\\\boxed{-8=\dfrac{x}{4}+\dfrac{2}{4}}\qquad\text{right side as sum of fractions}\\\\\dfrac{-17}{2}=\dfrac{x}{4}\qquad\text{subtract \dfrac{1}{2} }\\\\\boxed{-34=x}$

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c) Solving the equation of (a) directly takes 2 steps. Rewriting and then solving takes 3 steps, and involves fractions at every step. The equation of part (a) is easier to solve without the rewrite.