Question

Find the mistake in the following set of steps in a student’s attempt to solve 5x+2≥x+2/5, for x. What is the correct solution set?

5x+2≥x+2/5
5(x+2/5)≥x+2/5 (factoring out 5 on the left side)
5≥1 (dividing by (x+2/5))
So, the solution set is the empty set.

Answer 1

Answer: x ≥
`(-2)/(5)`

Explanation:

I cannot see what the student did wrong in your question, so I solved for x in the equation...

`5x + 2` ≥
`x + (2)/(5)`

1. subtract x from both sides

4x + 2 ≥
`(2)/(5)`

2. subtract 2 from both sides to isolate 4x

4x ≥
`(-8)/(5)`

3. divide both sides by 4

x ≥
`(-2)/(5)`