Question

Which statement best describes how the equation 3- 4/5 x=12 can be solved for the value of x in two steps?

a. Add 1/3 to both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by - 4/5 .
b. Add 3 to both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by 4/5 .
c. Subtract 1/3 from both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by - 5/4 .
d. Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by - 5/4 .

Answer 1

To solve the equation 3 - 4/5 x = 12, subtract 3 from both sides, resulting in -4/5 x = 9, then multiply both sides by -5/4 to solve for x, resulting in x = -45/4 or x = -11.25.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation 3 - 4/5 x = 12, the correct method involves two steps. First, we should subtract 3 from both sides of the equation to isolate the term containing x. Doing this, we get -4/5 x = 9. Then, to solve for x, we multiply both sides of the equation by -5/4, which is the reciprocal of -4/5, to get x alone on one side. When we do this operation, we find that x = -5/4 (9), which simplifies to x = -45/4 or x = -11.25.

Hence, the correct statement from the options provided is d. Subtract 3 from both sides of the equation, then multiply both sides by -5/4.