Question

Amelia, Shauna, Jamie, and Clarence used different approaches to solve this equation.

7.2b + 6.5 = 4.8b - 8.1

Amelia started by subtracting 7.2b to both sides.

Luis started by adding 4.8b to both sides.

Shauna started by subtracting 6.5 from both sides.

Clarence started by adding 8.1 to both sides.

Which student chose a first step that would not be helpful for isolating the variable term on one side and the constant on the other?

Answer 1

Answer: Luis started by adding 4.8b to both sides

Explanation:

4.8 is a positive number so therefore it should be subtracted from both sides to make the right side be empty in that position.