Question

To solve 5y - 2 - 3y=8, can you start by adding 2 each side? Justify your reasoning.

Answer 1

yes , you can add the 2 to both sides. you are combining like terms. it would be easier if you start off by doing 5y - 3y = 2y so the new problem would ne 2y-2=8 then add the 2 so 2y=10 so y = 5.

Answer 2

Yes, you can start by adding 2 to each side, it doesn't made a difference if you combine 5y and -3y first or not. Either way, you still get y= 5 both ways you do it.