Question

"The first and second steps to solve the equation x + 5 - 20 are shown below. 3 * x + 5 - 5 - 20 - 5 * (3) - 15 = 13. Which property was applied in the second step?"

a) Addition Property of Equality

b) Subtraction Property of Equality

c) Multiplication Property of Equality

d) Division Property of Equality

Answer 1

The second step in solving the equation involves applying the Multiplication Property of Equality, which maintains the balanced equation when each term is multiplied by the same number.

Step-by-step explanation:

The property applied in the second step of solving the equation is the Multiplication Property of Equality. This property states that when you multiply both sides of an equation by the same nonzero number, the two sides remain equal. In the given expression, each term within the parentheses on the left side of the equation is being multiplied by 3. This is done to maintain the balance of the equation, which is a fundamental rule when solving for variables. Therefore, the correct answer is c) Multiplication Property of Equality.