Question

of the following options, what could be a possible first step in solving the equation 8x 3 = 2x − 15? adding 8x to both sides of the equation adding 15 to both sides of the equation adding 3 to both sides of the equation adding 2x to both sides of the equation

Answer 1

Adding 15 to both sides. In order to get it to the opposite side of the equal sign, you must do its opposite. You can't add 8x to both sides, because the opposite of positive 8x is negative 8x and that's not what they're asking. The opposite of negative 15 is positive 15, so it works. Opposite of positive 3 is negative three, and they're wanting a positive, so it will not work. Adding 2x wouldn't work, because it's already positive..

Answer 2

adding 15 to both sides of the equation

Explanation:

Find the possible first step in solving the equation
`8x+3 = 2x - 15`

To eliminate any variable or constant we always do opposite operation

adding 8x to both sides of the equation : Opposite of 8x is -8x, Subtract -8x to remove 8x

adding 15 to both sides of the equation: opposite of -15 is +15 so we add 15 on both sides

adding 3 to both sides of the equation: opposite of 3 is -3, so subtract 3 on both sides

adding 2x to both sides of the equation: opposite of 2x is -2x, so we subtract 2x on both sides