Complete the equation so that it has no solution.

5x + 12 = __x + 9

1 answer

To create an equation that has no solution, we need to set it up so that the variable \( x \) cancels out, leaving a false statement.

Starting with the equation:

\[ 5x + 12 = __x + 9 \]

We can set the blank to make both sides have the same variable coefficient but create a contradiction with the constants.

For instance, let’s fill in the blank with \( 5x + 5 \). The equation becomes:

\[ 5x + 12 = 5x + 5 + 9 \]

Now simplifying the right side gives:

\[ 5x + 12 = 5x + 14 \]

Subtracting \( 5x \) from both sides results in:

\[ 12 = 14 \]

This is a false statement, which means the original equation has no solution.

So the completed equation that has no solution is:

\[ 5x + 12 = 5x + 5. \]