Question

Jason solved the following equation to find the value for x. –8.5x – 3.5x = –78 x = 6.5 Describe how Jason can check his answer.

Answer 1

Jason can verify whether his answer is correct or not by simply substituting the obtained value of x to the given equation and should satisfy the equality. If the equality is not satisfied then he must have wrong value of x

Answer 2

The answer in the procedure

Explanation:

we have

`-8.5x-3.5x=-78`

solve for x

Combine like terms

`-12x=-78`

Divide by
`-12` both sides

`x=-78/-12`

`x=6.5`

To check the answer, substitute the value of x in the original equation and then compare the results

we know that

If a value of x is a solution of the equation, then the value of x must be satisfy the equation

so

For
`x=6.5`

`-8.5(6.5)-3.5(6.5)=-78`

`-55.25-22.75=-78`

`-78=-78` -------> is true

therefore

The value of x is a solution of the equation