Question

Jason solved the following equation to find the value for x.

–8.5x – 3.5x = –78


x = 6.5


Describe how Jason can check his answer.

Answer 1

Sample answer:

• Substitute the value for x into the original equation.

• Simplify using order of operations.

• If the statement is true, Jason’s solution for x is correct.

• If the statement is false, Jason’s solution for x is incorrect.

Step-by-step explanation: (My answer)

1) Subtract 8.5 and 3.5, that equals 12.

`8.5x - 3.5x = -78`

2) Multiply 78 and 12, that equals 6.5 .

`(12x)/(12) = (78)/(12)`

3) Check your answer.

`-8.5 (6.5) -3.5 (6.5) = -78`

• Multiply 8.5 and 6.5, that equals 55.25.

• Next, multiply 3.5 and 6.5, that equals 22.75.

• Finally, you will need to subtract your answers. Subtract both 55.25 and 22.75.

Once you've done that, the answer you should get is 78.

78 is equal to 78, that is your final answer and it is correct.

Answer 2

To check his answer, he would put substitute 6.5 for every x in the equation:

-8.75(6.5) - 3.5(6.5) = -78

-56.875 - 22.75 = -78

-79.625 = -78

Because this isn’t true, his answer is wrong