Question

When solving the equation 15 = -3x + 3, the first step would be

Answer 1

Subtract 3 from both sides

Explanation:

When solving a linear equation, you need to get all the constants to one side and all the variable terms to the other side. In the equation 15=-3x+3, there is one constant on the left, and a variable term and a constant on the right. You have to move the constant, in this case 3, to the left side in order to solve. To do this, you perform the opposite operation, so in this case, you would subtract 3 from both sides. The 3 on the right will cancel out with the minus three, so you will have a zero on the right side, which can just be removed. You are left with 12=-3y.

Answer 2

You would subtract the +3 from both sides! You would now have:
12=-3x