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 Step 1: He should have subtracted 16 from each side. Step 1: He should have divided both sides by −5. Step 3: He should have multiplied both sides by −5. Step 3: He should have divided both sides by −5.
The correct answer is : Step 3: He should have divided both sides by -5 because in order to isolate x from -5x, you must divide its coefficient, which is -5. Dividing 5 from both sides leaves -1x or -x.
