Question

The steps below show the incomplete solution to find the value of x for the equation 5x − 2x − 3 = −2 + 17:

Step 1: 5x − 2x − 3 = −2 + 17
Step 2: 5x − 2x − 3 = 15 Step 3: 3x − 3 = 15
Which of these is most likely the next step?
3x = 5
3x = 12
3x = 18
3x = 45

Answer 1

Because this person is isolating for x, they would add 3 to each side, to have x by itself.

This will leave them with the equation 3x=18

So 3x=18 is most likely the next step