To transform the equation \(-15x + 24 + 16x = 3x - 24\) into the form \(x = a\) (where \(a\) is a number), we can choose two steps that effectively simplify and combine terms.
Let's assess the options:
A. Combine like terms 15x and 16x to get 31x and then subtract 31x from both sides of the equation.
- This option is incorrect because you are mistakenly referring to the combination of \(15x\) and \(16x\) without correcting the negative sign of \(-15x\). You should actually combine \(-15x\) and \(16x\), which results in \(x\), not \(31x\).
B. Subtract 15x from both sides of the equation and then simplify.
- This option is not applicable because we have \(-15x\) and \(16x\) on the left side. You would want to simplify those terms instead.
C. Subtract 24 from both sides of the equation and then simplify.
- This option is valid as it helps eliminate the constant term 24.
D. Add 3x to both sides of the equation and then simplify.
- This option is also valid as it can help balance the \(x\) terms.
Thus, the correct two choices that can effectively lead you to \(x = a\) are:
C. Subtract 24 from both sides of the equation and then simplify.
D. Add 3x to both sides of the equation and then simplify.