Question

Of the following options, what could be a possible first step in solving the equation -7x -5= x + 3

Answer 1

Option a) Adding 7x to both the sides

Explanation:

Given is an equation linear in one variable x.

`-7x -5= x + 3`

To solve this equation we have to bring x terms on one side and constants on the other side.

Subtracting 5 from both sides will not eliminate the constant -5 hence wrong.

Adding x to both sides will make right side as 2x instead of eliminating x.

Combining like terms will give -7x-x not -7x+x hence incorrect

Adding 7x to both sides gets rid of x term on the left.

Hence this option is right answer

Answer 2

you would need to add 7x to both sides.