When solving an equation, Gabrielle's first step is shown below. Which property justifies Gabrielle's first step?

Question

Original Equation:
Original Equation:
x, plus, 1, equals, minus, 2
x+1=
−2
First Step:
First Step:
x, equals, minus, 3
x=
−3
Answer
Multiple Choice Answers
multiplication property of equality
commutative property of multiplication
distributive property of multiplication over addition
subtraction property of equality

Answer 1

Gabrielle starts with the equation \( x + 1 = -2 \) and arrives at the first step \( x = -3 \). To transition from \( x + 1 = -2 \) to \( x = -3 \), Gabrielle must have subtracted 1 from both sides of the equation.

This operation can be justified using the subtraction property of equality, which states that if you subtract the same number from both sides of an equation, the two sides remain equal.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

subtraction property of equality.