Question

Mitch tried to solve an equation step by step.

7.7 = W - 2
7.7 – 2 = W - 2 + 2 Step 1
5.7 = w

Answer 1

Mitch did not make a mistake

Explanation:

The -2 and 2 on the right side cancel out and so you are left with 7.7-2=w. Combine like terms and your left with 5.7=w

Answer 2

Step 1 is done wrong

When simplifying this I would notice that one side is subtracting 2 (a rational number) and that the other also has a rational number.
To simplify this, you have to get rid of the -2 by canceling it out. You can do this by adding 2 on both sides (you have to add 2 to both sides to make sure both sides of the equal sign are equal).

So instead of subtracting 2 on one side and subtracting 2 on the other, you are supposed to add 2 to both sides.
They solved the second step correctly

Hope this helps!