Question

Maria solved the equation 34=+19

34
=
x
+
19
. Although her final answer was correct, she could have found it in a simpler way. Which sentence best explains why?

Answer 1

19 should have been subtracted from, not added to, both sides of the equation.

Explanation:

Answer 2

She could've subtracted 19 from both sides of the equation in the second step to find the value of
`x` immediately, rather then add 19 to both sides.

`34=x+19 \\ \\ 34-19=x+19-19 \\ \\ x=15`