Question

Practice combining like terms and using inverse operations to solve equations.
Consider the following equations and name the property of equality used to solve for the variable.

A. x + 3.75 = 7

B. –3b = 18

C. StartFraction m Over 5 EndFraction = negative 25

D. m – 4 = 9

Answer 1

A. x + 3.75 = 7
Subtract 3.75 from both sides: x = 7 − 3.75 = 3.25
Property used: Subtraction Property of Equality (using the inverse of addition).

B. −3b = 18
Divide both sides by −3: b = 18 ÷ (−3) = −6
Property used: Division (Multiplicative) Property of Equality (using the inverse of multiplication).

C. m/5 = −25
Multiply both sides by 5: m = −25 × 5 = −125
Property used: Multiplication Property of Equality (using the inverse of division).

D. m − 4 = 9
Add 4 to both sides: m = 9 + 4 = 13
Property used: Addition Property of Equality (using the inverse of subtraction).