Question

A student is asked to solve the equation 3k – 16 = 55 for k. Their work is shown. Original Problem 3k – 16 = 55 Step One –16 –16 Step Two 3k = 39 Step Three 3k divided by 3 equals 39 divided by 3 Step Four k = 13 The student made a mistake in Step One. What operation should the student have performed?

Added 16 to both sides
Multiplied by 3 on both sides
Divided by 16 on both sides
Subtracted 3 on both sides

Answer 1

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Answer:

The student should have added 16 to both sides in Step One.

The correct operation to perform in Step One is to add 16 to both sides of the equation:

3k - 16 + 16 = 55 + 16

3k = 71

The student mistakenly subtracted 16 from both sides instead of adding it.