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

Answer 1

-5x-16=8

-5x=24

`(x)/(-5) = (24)/(-5)`

`-x=(24)/(-5)`

`x=(24)/(5)`

above is how to correctly solve the equation

The error is in step 3.

Step 3 as written:
`(-5x)/(5) = (24)/(5)`

This is incorrect because you are removing the 5 from the -5x so it wouldn't be in the numerator.

Hope this helps