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.