Question

Consider the equation 9 – x = 5. a. Solve the equation by first adding x to both sides. b. Solve the equation by first subtracting 9 from both sides. c. Which approach, (a) or (b), did you prefer? Explain.

Answer 1

a.x=4

b.x=4

c.(b)

Explanation:

We are given that

`9-x=5`

a. First we adding x on both sides we get

`9-x+x=5+x`

`9=5+x`

Now, subtract 5 on both sides we get

`9-5=x`

`x=4`

b.

We are subtracting 9 from both sides we get

`9-9-x=5-9`

`-x=-4`

`x=4`

We can solve equation both approach a and b

But I prefer (b) because in approach (b)

There are only 3 step in which we can get answer but in approach (a) we can get answer in 4 steps .

Hence, I prefer approach (b)