Question

Justify each step in solving the equation 4 + 1 = 7(-3) + 1 by writing a reason for each statement in a 2-column proof with the reasons for each step.

Answer 1

To solve the equation 4 + 1 = 7(-3) + 1, combine the terms on each side of the equation using the addition and multiplication rules for positive and negative numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation 4 + 1 = 7(-3) + 1, we can follow the steps below with their justifications:

1. Combine the terms on the left side: 4 + 1 = 5. (Using the addition rule for positive numbers, where the sum of positive numbers is positive)
2. Multiply 7 and -3: 7(-3) = -21. (Using the multiplication rule for numbers with opposite signs, where the product of positive and negative numbers is negative)
3. Combine the terms on the right side: -21 + 1 = -20. (Using the addition rule for negative numbers, where the sum of negative numbers is negative)

Therefore, the solution to the equation is 5 = -20.