Question

Erica solved the equation −5x − 25 = 78; her work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made. (5 points)

−5x − 25 = 78

Step 1: −5x − 25 − 25 = 78 − 25

Step 2: −5x = 53

Step 3: =

Step 4: x =

Step 1: She should have added 25 to each side.

Step 1: She should have divided both sides by −5.

Step 3: She should have divided both sides by −5.

Step 3: She should have multiplied both sides by −5

Answer 1

she should have added 25 instead of subtracted 25...step 1 error

Answer 2

If you would like to solve the equation -5x - 25 = 78, you should do this using the following steps:

-5x - 25 = 78
-5x - 25 + 25 = 78 + 25
-5x + 0 = 103
-5x = 103 /(-5)
x = 103 / (-5)
x = - 103/5 = - 20.6

The error was already made at step 1.