Question

Jake

says
that the solution to 8.5 - a=5 is that a equals
13.5 because addition and subtraction are inverse
operations and 8.5 +5 = 13.5. Does Jake's solution make
sense? Explain how you know whether or not Jake's
solution makes sense without solving the equation. Then
draw a model of the problem and solve the equation.

Answer 1

Explanation:

No. Jack's solution doesn't make sense.

It is given that, 8.5 - a = 5

Jack is saying that addition and subtraction are reverse operations. Yes, it's true, but here,

8.5 - a = 5

If we move 5 to the opposite side, it becomes -5, and -a to the other side, it becomes a.

So, 8.5 - 5 = 3.5 and not 13.5.

Overall, Jack's solution doesn't make sense.