Question

Examine the steps used to solve the equation.

12.5x − 10.2 = 3(2.5x + 4.2) - 6

1. 12.5x − 10.2 = 7.5x + 12.6 − 6

2. 12.5x − 10.2 = 7.5x + 6.6

3. 12.5x = 7.5x + 16.8

4. 5x = 16.8

5. x = 3.36

Analyze the steps to determine which properties or procedures were used to complete each step

Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Let's analyze the steps taken to solve the equation \( 12.5x − 10.2 = 3(2.5x + 4.2) - 6 \) and identify the properties or procedures used in each step.

**Step 1:**

\( 12.5x − 10.2 = 7.5x + 12.6 − 6 \)

**Analysis:**
Here, the right-hand side of the equation is simplified. The expression \(3(2.5x + 4.2)\) is distributed:

- Multiply \(3\) by \(2.5x\) to get \(7.5x\).
- Multiply \(3\) by \(4.2\) to get \(12.6\).
- From \(12.6\), subtract \(6\) to get \(6.6\).

**Property used:** Distributive Property and Simplification (combining like terms).

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**Step 2:**

\( 12.5x − 10.2 = 7.5x + 6.6 \)

**Analysis:**
This step involves simplifying further:

- Combine \(12.6 - 6\) on the right-hand side to give \(6.6\).

**Property used:** Combining Like Terms.

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**Step 3:**

\( 12.5x = 7.5x + 16.8 \)

**Analysis:**
In this step, we add \(10.2\) to both sides of the equation to isolate terms involving \(x\):

- \(12.5x - 10.2 + 10.2 = 7.5x + 6.6 + 10.2\).

**Property used:** Addition Property of Equality (adding the same value to both sides).

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**Step 4:**

\( 5x = 16.8 \)

**Analysis:**
To isolate \(x\), we subtract \(7.5x\) from both sides:

- \(12.5x - 7.5x = 16.8\).

**Property used:** Subtraction Property of Equality (subtracting the same value from both sides).

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**Step 5:**

\( x = 3.36 \)

**Analysis:**
Finally, we divide both sides by \(5\) to solve for \(x\):

- \(5x / 5 = 16.8 / 5\).

**Property used:** Division Property of Equality (dividing both sides by the same non-zero number).

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In summary, each step utilized fundamental algebraic properties: the distributive property, combining like terms, and equality properties (addition, subtraction, division) to manipulate the equation until the variable \(x\) was isolated.

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