Hugh Thomas

Mathematics

23 April, 11:45

Amelia, Luis, Shauna, and Clarence used different approaches to solve the inequality

7.2b + 6.5 > 4.8b - 8.1.

Amelia started by subtracting 7.2b from both sides to get 6.5 > - 2.4b - 8.1.

Luis started by subtracting 4.8b from both sides to get 2.4b + 6.5 < - 8.1.

Shauna started by subtracting 6.5 from both sides to get 7.2b > 4.8b - 14.6.

Clarence started by adding 8.1 to both sides to get 7.2b + 14.6 > 4.8b.

Which student's first step was incorrect, and why?

Amelia's, because the variable term must be isolated on the left side

Luis's, because he flipped the inequality sign when he subtracted

Shauna's, because she did not apply the subtraction property of equality properly

Clarence's, because the terms he added together were not like terms