Steps for solving 5(2x - 8) = 20 are shown.

Which of these is not part of the solution process?
5(2x - 8) = 20
102-40=20
10x - 40 + 40 = 20 + 40 Step 2
10z = 60
102
60
10
£=6
Original Equation
Step 1
Step3
Step 4
Step 5
Using the commutative property
Combining like terms
Dividing both sides by 10 to isolate the variable
Using the distributive property

1 answer

Let's go through the steps provided to identify which one does not belong in the solution process for the equation \(5(2x - 8) = 20\).

  1. Original Equation: \(5(2x - 8) = 20\)

  2. Step 1: This step appears to be using the distributive property. Distributing \(5\) across \((2x - 8)\): \[ 5 \cdot 2x - 5 \cdot 8 = 10x - 40 \] So, the equation becomes \(10x - 40 = 20\).

  3. Step 2: The transition you wrote down seems incorrect ("102 - 40 = 20"), as \(10x - 40 = 20\) would lead to the next step being: \[ 10x - 40 + 40 = 20 + 40 \] This is valid, as it adds \(40\) to both sides of the equation.

  4. Step 3: The equation now becomes \(10x = 60\).

  5. Step 4: This is dividing both sides by \(10\): \[ \frac{10x}{10} = \frac{60}{10} \Rightarrow x = 6 \]

  6. Step 5: You provided “Using the commutative property”, but the commutative property is not used in solving this equation. Instead, this process involves using the distributive property (for \(5(2x - 8)\)), and then combining like terms and solving for \(x\) through addition and division.

In conclusion, the step that is not part of the solution process is "Using the commutative property."