Mikayla and Jesse both solved the equation x−15=12−8

Question

, using substitution. Mikayla says the answer is x=19
, and Jesse says the answer is x=27
. Which student is correct, and how do you know? Show your work and explain your thinking.
6th grade words

Answer 1

To find the correct solution to the equation \( x - 15 = 12 - 8 \), let's solve it step by step.

1. Simplify the right side of the equation: \[ 12 - 8 = 4 \] So the equation becomes: \[ x - 15 = 4 \]

2. Add 15 to both sides of the equation to isolate \( x \): \[ x - 15 + 15 = 4 + 15 \] This simplifies to: \[ x = 19 \]

Now that we've solved the equation, we see that \( x = 19 \).

So, Mikayla is correct because she has the right answer, \( x = 19 \). Jesse's answer of \( x = 27 \) is incorrect.

To summarize:

• We simplified the equation and isolated \( x \).
• We found that the correct answer is \( x = 19 \).
• Mikayla's answer is correct.