Question

Stephen and Aaron solved the same equation using two separate methods. Their work is shown in the table below:

Stephen

Aaron

3x − 2 = 5x − 6

3x − 2 = 5x − 6

3x − 2 + 2 = 5x − 6 + 2

3x − 3x − 2 = 5x − 3x − 6

3x = 5x − 4

−2 = 2x − 6

3x − 5x = 5x − 5x − 4

−2 − 6 = 2x

−2x = −4

−8 = 2x

negative two x divided by negative two equals negative four divided by negative two

negative eight divided by two equals two x divided by two

x = 2

−4 = x



Identify who made the error and what he did wrong

Answer 1

stephen : aaron :
3x - 2 = 5x - 6 3x - 2 = 5x - 6
3x - 2 + 2 = 5x - 6 + 2 3x - 3x - 2 = 5x - 3x - 6
3x = 5x - 4 -2 = 2x - 6
3x - 5x = 5x - 5x - 4 -2 - 6 = 2x <== this is wrong
-2x = -4 (he just moved the -6 over without
x = -4/-2 changing the sign)
x = 2 (this is correct) it should be : -2 + 6 = 2x