Berniece solved the following equation:

4x - 2x + 8 = 6 (x + 4)

Step Work Justification

1 2x + 8 = 6 (x + 4) Combine like terms

2 2x + 8 = 6x + 24 Distributive property

3 - 4x + 8 = 24 Subtraction property of equality

4 - 4x = 16 Addition property of equality

5 x = - 4 Division property of equality

Which step has an incorrect justification? (Make sure to type only the number of the step into the blank: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5)

Question

Erik Byrd

Mathematics

16 August, 13:40

Berniece solved the following equation:

4x - 2x + 8 = 6 (x + 4)

Step Work Justification

1 2x + 8 = 6 (x + 4) Combine like terms

2 2x + 8 = 6x + 24 Distributive property

3 - 4x + 8 = 24 Subtraction property of equality

4 - 4x = 16 Addition property of equality

5 x = - 4 Division property of equality

Which step has an incorrect justification? (Make sure to type only the number of the step into the blank: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5)

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Nathan Herrera · Answer 1

Step 4 is incorrect.

This is technically another example of the subtraction property of inequality. This is because we are subtracting 8 from both sides to get the 8 to cancel and the 24 to go down to 16. This is not addition and should not be justified as such.