Question

Here is an equation: 5x - 5 = 5x + ___. What could you write in the blank so the equation would be true for:

1. No values of x.

2. All values of x.

3. One value of x.

Answer 1

1 ; -5 ; 2x

Explanation:

1. We must have 0x equal to a number that is not 0

example = 1

5x - 5x = 5 + 1

0 = 6 (false)

2 we must have 0 = 0

-5

5x - 5x = 5 - 5

0 = 0

3 the x must stay

example = 2x

5x - 5 = 5x + 2x

2x = -5

2/2 x = -5/2

x = -5/2