Question

What is the first step for solving -16 + 5r = 32?

1) subtract 16 from both sides of the equation
2) multiply both sides of the equation times 5
3) divide both sides of the equation by 5
4) add 16 to both sides of the equation

Answer 1

4

Explanation:

add 16 to both sides of the equations

Answer 2

4. Add 16 to both sides of the equation

Since 16 cannot be added to 5r, it either goes across the equal sign or is added to both sides.

When it goes across the equal sign:

5r = 32 + 16

5r = 48

divide both sides by the coefficient of r (since it is the unknown)

5r/5 = 48/5

r = 9.6 or 9⅗

-16 is a negative number so its opposite is used—+16—on both sides of the equation such that when done, 5r is isolated

-16 +5r + 16 = 32 +16

-16 + 16 = 0

hence,

5r = 32 + 16

5r = 48

5r/5 = 48/5

r = 9.6 or 9⅗

If the equation was the other way around, i.e.,

16 + 5r = 32

-16 is subtracted from both sides which makes it

(16 - 16) + 5r = 32 - 16

5r = 32 - 16

5r = 16

5r/5 = 16/5

r = 3.2 or 3⅕

I hope this helps!