Question

When solving an equation, Bianca's first step is shown below. Which property justifies Bianca's first step?
Original Equation:
Original Equation:
minus, 3, x, equals, 3
−3x=
3
First Step:
First Step:
x, equals, minus, 1
x=
−1
Answer
Multiple Choice Answers
subtraction property of equality
addition property of equality
commutative property of multiplication
division property of equality

Answer 1

To determine which property justifies Bianca's first step in solving the equation \(-3x = 3\) and arriving at \(x = -1\), we can analyze what she did.

The original equation is:

\[
-3x = 3
\]

To isolate \(x\), Bianca divides both sides of the equation by \(-3\):

\[
x = \frac{3}{-3}
\]

This simplifies to:

\[
x = -1
\]

The property used here is the **division property of equality**, which states that if you divide both sides of an equation by the same non-zero number, the two sides remain equal.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

**division property of equality**