Malloy solved the equation −5x − 16 = 8; his work is shown below. Identify the error and where it was made.

−5x − 16 = 8
Step 1: −5x − 16 + 16 = 8 + 16
Step 2: −5x = 24
Step 3: negative five times x over five = twenty-four over five
Step 4: x = twenty-four over five

Respuesta :

-5x-16=8

-5x=24

[tex]\frac{x}{-5} = \frac{24}{-5}[/tex]

[tex]-x=\frac{24}{-5}[/tex]

[tex]x=\frac{24}{5}[/tex]

above is how to correctly solve the equation

The error is in step 3.

Step 3 as written: [tex]\frac{-5x}{5} = \frac{24}{5}[/tex]

This is incorrect because you are removing the 5 from the -5x so it wouldn't be in the numerator.

Hope this helps