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 manipulate it so that the left side is never equal to the right side for any value of \( x \). One common way to do this is to make the coefficients of \( x \) equal while ensuring that the constant terms differ.

We have:

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

To make the coefficients of \( x \) the same on both sides, we can replace the blank with \( 5x \) (which means left side becomes equal to right side regarding the \( x \) terms). Now we need the constant terms to be different.

If we write the equation as:

\[ 5x + 12 = 5x + 8 \]

Now, we simplify this:

Subtract \( 5x \) from both sides:

\[ 12 = 8 \]

This equation is false (12 does not equal 8), meaning there are no values of \( x \) that satisfy the equation.

Thus, filling in the blank gives us:

\[ 5x + 12 = 5x + 8 \]

This equation has no solution.