Question
Jalil and Victoria are each asked to solve the equation ax – c = bx + d for x. Jalil says it is not possible to isolate x because each x has a different unknown coefficient. Victoria believes there is a solution, and shows Jalil her work:
ax – c = bx + d
ax – bx = d + c
x (a – b) = d + c
x = x equals StartFraction d plus c Over a minus b EndFraction.
How can Victoria justify Step 3 of her work?
Rewrite the expression on the left using the distributive property.
Multiply both sides by x.
Rewrite the expression on the left using subtraction.
Divide both sides by x.
ax – c = bx + d
ax – bx = d + c
x (a – b) = d + c
x = x equals StartFraction d plus c Over a minus b EndFraction.
How can Victoria justify Step 3 of her work?
Rewrite the expression on the left using the distributive property.
Multiply both sides by x.
Rewrite the expression on the left using subtraction.
Divide both sides by x.
Answers
GPT 3.5
Victoria can justify Step 3 of her work by rewriting the left side of the equation using the distributive property. By doing this, she combines the x terms and factors out x. This transforms the equation into x(a - b) = d + c, from which she can then divide both sides by (a - b) to isolate x.