Question

Jason solved the following equation to find the value for x. –8.5x – 3.5x = –78 x = 6.5 Describe how Jason can check his answer.

Answer 1

Sample Response:Jason needs to substitute the value he found for x in the original equation. Then he needs to use order of operations to simplify. If the result is a true statement then Jason’s solution is correct.

Answer 2

Answer: Jason can substitute
`x=6.5` into the equation to check his answer. The left side of the equation must be equal to the right side of the equation.

Explanation:

The equation
`-8.5x-3.5x=-78` must be solved by calculating the value of x:

Add like terms:

`-12x=-78`

Divide both sides by -12:

`(-12x)/(-12)=(-78)/(-12)\\\\x=6.5`

Now he can substitute
`x=6.5` into the equation and simplify to check his answer.

If his answer is right, the left side of the equation will be equal to the right side of the equation.

Then:

`-12(6.5)=-78\\-78=-78`

`x=6.5` is a solution of the equation.