Question

After combining like terms to simplify the equation 3−15x+24+16x=4x−24−4x, what would be the next best step to finish solving?

A. Subtract 24 from both sides of the equation.
B. Add x to both sides of the equation.
C. Subtract 27 from both sides of the equation.
D. Subtract x from both sides of the equation.
E. Divide both sides of the equation by 15.

Answer 1

First, let's simplify the equation \(3 - 15x + 24 + 16x = 4x - 24 - 4x\).

Combining like terms on the left side:
- \(3 + 24 = 27\)
- \(-15x + 16x = x\)

So the left side simplifies to:
\[27 + x\]

Now simplify the right side:
- \(4x - 4x = 0\)
- Thus, the right side simplifies to \(-24\).

Now we have the simplified equation:
\[27 + x = -24\]

To isolate \(x\), we can subtract 27 from both sides. This corresponds to option C.

So the next best step to finish solving the equation would be:
C. Subtract 27 from both sides of the equation.