Question

Gwendolyn is asked to solve the equation -43 – 3) = 20. She sh

-4(x - 3) = 20
- 4x + 12 = 20
- 4x = 32
x = -8
Unfortunately, Gwendolyn's work is flawed. Explain the flaw in Gwendolyns work

Answer 1

-4x + 12 = 20 is incorrect. she added 12 to 20 instead of subtracting 12 from both sides.

Explanation:

It should have been, write problem

-4(x - 3) = 20

Use distributive property.

-4x + 12 = 20

subtract 12 from each side

-4x =8

divide each side by -4

x = -2