Question

Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made.
−5x − 16 = 8
Step 1: −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16
Step 2: −5x = 24
Step 3: negative five times x over five = twenty-four over five Step 4: x = twenty-four over five Step 1: He should have subtracted 16 from each side.
Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −5.
Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −5.
Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.

Answer 1

He should have divided both sides by –5