Question

Jordan solved the equation −7x + 25 = 48; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made. (5 points)

−7x + 25 = 48
Step 1: −7x + 25 − 25 = 48 − 25
Step 2: −7x = 23
Step 3: negative seven times x over seven = twenty-three over seven
Step 4: x = twenty-three over seven

a
Step 1: He should have added 25 to each side.

b
Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −7.

c
Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −7.

d
Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −7.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: option c) Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −7.

Step-by-step explanation:

The error was made in Step 3.

The student should have divided both sides of the equation by -7, not by seven.

By dividing both sides by -7, the equation becomes:

x = 23/(-7)

x = -23/7