Question

A. Solve -8=(X + 2)/4

b. Write the right side of the equation in part (a) as the sum of two fractions,
Solve the equation.
c. Did you find the equation in part (a) or the rewritten equation easier to
solve? Why?

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

a) x = -34

b) -8 = x/4 +2/4; x = -34

c) solving without the rewrite is easier, it takes fewer steps and eliminates fractions right away

Explanation:

a) -32 = x +2 . . . . multiply by 4

-34 = x . . . . . . . subtract 2

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b)

`-8 = (x+2)/(4)\qquad\text{given}\\\\\boxed{-8=(x)/(4)+(2)/(4)}\qquad\text{right side as sum of fractions}\\\\(-17)/(2)=(x)/(4)\qquad\text{subtract $(1)/(2)$}\\\\\boxed{-34=x}`

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c) Solving the equation of (a) directly takes 2 steps. Rewriting and then solving takes 3 steps, and involves fractions at every step. The equation of part (a) is easier to solve without the rewrite.