Question

Yuet solved the equation 6a-2b=12 for a. Her steps are shown below.

1. Subtract 2b: 6a = 12 - 2b

2. Divide by 6: a = 2 - 1/3b

Which statement about Yuet’s work is true?

In step 1 she needed to add 2b to both sides of the equation.
In step 1 she needed to divide by 2b on both sides of the equation.
In step 2 she needed to divide both sides of the equation by 6.
In step 2 she needed to subtract 6 from both sides of the equation.

Answer 1

A) In step 1 she needed to add 2b to both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

Answer 2

In step 1 she needed to add 2b to both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

When unwanted terms are added, you undo that addition by adding their opposite.

Here, the unwanted term -2b is added, so the appropriate step is to add its opposite, 2b, to both sides of the equation.