Question

1.2.41

Yuson used her calculator to solve the equation x-
- 8 = 3. She entered the following on her screen and got an incorrect answer. How
could she use parentheses to find the correct answer? Explain. What is the correct answer?

Answer 1

`x - (-8) = 3`

`x = -5`

Explanation:

Equation

`x - -8 = 3`

Solving (a): Using Parenthesis

The equation can be rewritten by putting -8 in a parenthesis as follows;

`x - (-8) = 3`

Solving (b): The correct answer

`x - (-8) = 3`

Start by opening the bracket

`x + 8 = 3`

Subtract 8 from both sides

`x + 8 - 8 = 3 - 8`

`x = 3 - 8`

`x = -5`

Hence, the correct solution is
`x = -5`