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Is x = 5 a solution to the equation: 2(x+7)−1 = (x+2)+(x+3) ? Justify your answer.

User Hubert Kario
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1 Answer

25 votes
25 votes

Answer: nope!

Explanation:

first, we have to plug in 5 for x in the equation. for x to be a solution, both sides of the equation need to be equal to each other!

2(5+7)-1 = (5+2)+(5+3)

** very important rule: always solve what's in the parentheses first!!

PEMDAS!!

2(12)-1 = (7)+(8)

next, solve what's right next to the parentheses, because you're multiplying the number in the parentheses by the number right next to it.

2(12) = 24

24-1=7+8

now, solve each side.

24-1 = 23

7+8 = 15

23 = 15.

as you can see, these numbers do not equal one another! therefore, x = 5 is NOT a solution to the equation.

User Karatedog
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