Question

George and Bella are asked to solve −3x − 30 = 5x + 18. Identify where one of them made an error.

George

Bella
− 3x − 30 = 5x + 18
− 3x − 30 − 5x = 5x + 18 −5x
−8x − 30 = 18
− 8x − 30 + 30 = 18 + 30
−8x = 48
Negative 8x over negative 8 equals 48 over negative 8
x = − 6

− 3x − 30 = 5x + 18
−3x − 30 − 3x = 5x + 18 − 3x
− 30 = 2x + 18
−30 − 18 = 2x + 18 −18
− 48= 2x
Negative 48 over 2 equals 2x over 2
x=−24

Answer 1

The first one is correct.(x = -6)

The second one is incorrect because they subtracted -3x to both sides when they were supposed to ADD it.

Answer 2

ok thank you