Question

In solving an equation, what would be the first, addition or subtraction?

Answer 1

In solving an equation, the order of operations dictates that addition and subtraction are performed in the same step. Therefore, there isn't a strict rule regarding whether addition or subtraction should come first—it depends on the specific equation and its context.

Step-by-step explanation:

When solving an equation, the order of operations must be considered to ensure accurate results. The commonly accepted order is parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division (from left to right), and addition and subtraction (from left to right). However, when it comes to addition and subtraction, they are typically grouped together in a single step.

For instance, consider the equation:

`\[2x + 5 - 3x = 10\]`

To solve this equation, we combine like terms and isolate the variable:

`\[2x - 3x = 10 - 5\]`

`\[-x = 5\]`

Now, to find the value of
`\(x\)`, we multiply both sides by
`\(-1\)`:

`\[x = -5\]`

In this example, both addition and subtraction are involved in the same step, highlighting that there isn't a strict rule dictating whether addition or subtraction should come first. The order depends on the equation's structure and the need to combine like terms for simplification.

In summary, the order of addition and subtraction in solving equations is determined by the equation's specific structure, and both operations are generally performed in the same step, following the overall order of operations.