Question

Fiona solved the equation shown. – StartFraction 1 Over 2 EndFraction minus StartFraction 1 Over 3 EndFraction left-parenthesis 6 x minus 3 right-parenthesis equals negative StartFraction 13 Over 2 EndFraction.(6x – 3) = – A table titled Fiona's Solution with 3 columns and 5 rows. The first row is, blank, Steps, Resulting equation. The second row has the entries, 1, Use the distributive property to simplify. StartFraction one-half minus 2 x plus 1 equals negative StartFraction 13 Over 2 EndFraction. The third row has the entries, 2, blank, StartFraction 3 Over 2 minus 2 x equals negative StartFraction 13 Over 2 EndFraction. The fourth row has the entries, 3, Isolate the variable expression by using the addition property of equality, negative 2 x equals negative 8. The fifth row has the entries, 4, Isolate the variable by using the division property of equality, x equals 4. What is the missing step of her solution? Simplify by combining like terms. Simplify by using addition property of equality. Simplify by using the multiplication property of equality. Simplify by using the division property of equality.

Answer 1

A

Explanation:

Answer 2

Simplify by combining like terms

Explanation:

She transforms

1/2 - 2x + 1 = -13/2

into

3/2 - 2x = -13/2

combining the terms 1/2 and +1 to get 3/2. Combining like terms is a very common step while solving an equation which allows us to simplify the expressions and is generally made before isolating the variable step.