Question

Mr. Tanaka needs to dig 24
holes to put up fence posts around his lawn. He has already dug 10
holes. Which equations can be used to find how many holes,
, Mr. Tanaka has left to dig?

Select all the correct equations.

Answer 1

Let x = the number of holes Mr. Tanaka has left to dig.

Correct equations:
- x + 10 = 24
- 10 + x = 24
- x = 24 − 10 (or 24 − 10 = x)
- 24 − x = 10 (or 10 = 24 − x)

All of these are equivalent and give x = 14.

Incorrect forms include 10 − x = 24, 24 + x = 10, x − 10 = 24, etc.