Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made.

−5x − 16 = 8
Step 1: −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16
Step 2: −5x = 24
Step 3: negative five times x over five = twenty-four over five
Step 4: x = twenty-four over five

Step 1: He should have subtracted 16 from each side.
Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −5.
Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −5.
Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.

Question

Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made.

            −5x − 16 = 8
Step 1: −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16
Step 2: −5x = 24
Step 3:	 negative five times x over five =  twenty-four over five  
Step 4: x =  twenty-four over five 

 Step 1: He should have subtracted 16 from each side.
 Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −5.
 Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −5.
 Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.

nuccioreggie · Answer

@Joel_the_boss