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

Respuesta :

-5x - 16 = 8
-5x - 16 + 16 = 8 + 16 (step 1...correct)
-5x = 24 ( step 2...correct)
-5x/5 = 24/-5 (step 3...incorrect..he didn't divide both sides by -5)
x = -24/5

Answer:

Error in step 3

[tex]\frac{-24}{5}[/tex]

Step-by-step explanation:

−5x − 16 = 8

Step 1:   −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16

Step 2: −5x = 24

Step 3: -5x/5 = -24/5

Step 4: x = 24/5

Step 1  and step 2 are correct

In step 3 we need to eliminate -5

so we divide both sides by -5

Malloy divided both sides by 5 instead of -5

so step 3 becomes

[tex]\frac{-5x}{5} =\frac{24}{-5}[/tex]

step 4 :  [tex]\frac{-24}{5}[/tex]