Heidi solved the equation

3(x + 4) + 2 = 2 + 5(x – 4). Her steps are below:

3x + 12 + 2 = 2 + 5x – 20
3x + 14 = 5x – 18
14 = 2x – 18
32 = 2x
16 = x
Use the drops-downs to justify how Heidi arrived at each step.

Step 1:

Step 2:_____________________

Step 3:_____________________

Step 4:________________________

Step 5:_______________________

1 answer

Step 1: Distributive property - Heidi distributed the 3 to both terms inside the parentheses on the left side and the 5 to both terms inside the parentheses on the right side.

Step 2: Simplifying - Heidi combined like terms on both sides of the equation.

Step 3: Subtraction property of equality - Heidi subtracted 5x from both sides to simplify the equation.

Step 4: Addition property of equality - Heidi added 18 to both sides to isolate the variable term.

Step 5: Division property of equality - Heidi divided both sides by 2 to solve for x.