Question

an equation is incorrectly solved below
equation : 2x+3=-4
step 1 2x + 3 -3 = -4 - 3
step 2 2x=-1
step 3 2x/2 = -1/2
step 4 x = -1/2
which step shows the error

Answer 1

The error in the solution occurs in **step 3**.

Let's break it down:

1. The equation \(2x + 3 = -4\) is correctly rearranged in **step 1**:
\[ 2x + 3 - 3 = -4 - 3 \]
which simplifies to
\[ 2x = -1 \]
in **step 2**.

2. In **step 3**, the mistake happens when dividing by 2. The correct calculation should be:
\[ \frac{2x}{2} = \frac{-1}{2} \]
leading to
\[ x = -\frac{1}{2} \]
which is mathematically correct.

However, this does not show an error in calculation, as this simplification is valid resulting in \(x = -\frac{1}{2}\) being the correct solution.

In fact, the process followed is accurate and reaches the correct conclusion.

Therefore, the solution is correct and there is no error in the steps provided.