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Which of the following statements describes a correct method for solving this equation?

15+3x=18

A.
Divide both sides of the equation by 3, and then add 15 to both sides.
B.
Divide both sides of the equation by 3, and then subtract 30 from both sides.
C.
Add 15 to both sides of the equation, and then divide both sides by 3.
D.
Subtract 15 from both sides of the equation, and then divide both sides by 3.

1 answer

To solve the equation \( 15 + 3x = 18 \), we want to isolate \( x \).

  1. Isolate the term with \( x \):

    • Subtract 15 from both sides: \[ 15 + 3x - 15 = 18 - 15 \] This simplifies to: \[ 3x = 3 \]

  2. Solve for \( x \):

    • Now, divide both sides by 3: \[ \frac{3x}{3} = \frac{3}{3} \] This simplifies to: \[ x = 1 \]

Based on this process, the correct method for solving the equation is:

D. Subtract 15 from both sides of the equation, and then divide both sides by 3.