Question

Tom needs to solve this equation for x.

3x−5=26


Which would be the best first step Tom could make to solve the equation?

(1 point)
Responses

add 5 to both sides of the equation
add 5 to both sides of the equation

subtract 5 from the left side of the equation
subtract 5 from the left side of the equation

divide 2x by 2
divide 2x by 2

divide both sides of the equation by 26

Answer 1

The best first step Tom could make to solve the equation \(3x - 5 = 26\) is to **add 5 to both sides of the equation**. This will help eliminate the -5 from the left side and get closer to isolating \(x\).

So, the correct response is:
**add 5 to both sides of the equation.**