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

divide both sides of the equation by 26
divide both sides of the equation by 26

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

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

divide 2x by 2

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 isolate the term with \(x\) on one side.

So the correct response is:

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