What is the correct first step to solve the equation −3x−13=14

Question

for x?(1 point)
Responses

Add 3 to both sides of the equation.
Add 3 to both sides of the equation.

Add 13 to both sides of the equation.
Add 13 to both sides of the equation.

Divide both sides of the equation by -3.
Divide both sides of the equation by -3.

Subtract 13 from both sides of the equation.

Answer 1

To solve the equation \(-3x - 13 = 14\) for \(x\), the first step should be to isolate the term with \(x\). Therefore, you should start by eliminating the constant term \(-13\) on the left side of the equation.

The correct first step is:

Add 13 to both sides of the equation.

This will result in:

\(-3x - 13 + 13 = 14 + 13\)

Which simplifies to:

\(-3x = 27\)

So, the correct option is "Add 13 to both sides of the equation."