Question

Determine whether each solution is correct. If the

solution is not correct, describe the error.
1. 2(x + 5) = 22
2x + 5 = 22
2x + 5 - 5 = 22 - 5
2x = 17
x = 8.5

Answer 1

She did not distribute properly.

In the second step, she distributed 2 into the expression in the parentheses. 2 times x became 2x, however 2 times 5 stayed as 5, and we know that 2 times 5 is 10. Therefore, the rest of the steps are incorrect, including the solution. The correct value of x is 6.