Octavus G.

asked • 09/16/16

eight plus the quotient of a number and 3 is -2

how do I work this problem out to get the answer for x

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Arturo O. answered • 09/16/16

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x = the number
 
8 + x/3 = -2
 
Multiply both sides by 3 and get
 
24 + x = -6
 
Solve for x:
 
x = -30
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Adam V.

My only comment would be it's much less work to subtract 8 from both sides before doing the multiplication. They both get to the same result, but usually it's better to reduce the number of terms before doing a product or quotient, just so it's less steps. =)
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09/16/16

Arturo O.

I counted 3 steps in both solutions.
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09/16/16

Arturo O.

:-)
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09/16/16

Adam V.

Respectfully, I have to disagree. =)
 
When you multiply both sides of 8 + x/3 = -2 by 3, you have to multiply 8*3, (x/3)*3, and -2 by 3.
 
If you subtract 8 from both sides first, you end up with x/3 = -10, which means you only have to multiply two numbers by 3.
 
I know it's nitpicking, but reducing the number of terms is almost always preferred before you start doing operations on all the terms.
 
Imagine if you had this: 2x + 4x + 6x + 8x +10x = 30
Would you divide both sides by 2 before adding up all the x terms? Usually not. It's less work to add up all the x terms first before you divide.
 
Again, it's just nitpicking, but it's less work in the end. =)
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09/16/16

Arturo O.

I agree that it is just nitpicking.
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09/16/16

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