how do you solve 16p-5-8p=-17+2p

Question

Determine what the values of x would make the equation true

Answer 1

First, note that the equation uses p rather than x.

 

Let's find the value(s) of p that would make the equation true.  We do that by performing the same operation on both sides of the equation (that's because, e.g., equals ADDED to equals result in equals; equals TIMES equals result in equals, etc.)

 

   16p -5 -8p = -17 + 2p

   16p - 5 - 8p - 2p = - 17          [subtract 2p from each side]

    16p - 8p - 2p - 5 = -17         [commutative property]

    6p - 5 = -17                        [combine like terms]

    6p = -17 + 5                      [add 5 to both sides]

    6p = -12                          [combine like terms]

     p = -2                         [divide both sides by 6]

Checlk: Does 16(-2) - 5 - 8(-2)= -17 + 2(-2)

-32 - 5 +16 = -17 - 4

-21 = -21 [combine like terms]

o.k.

Answer 2

Can't solve for x, there are none!

Yet here goes for p:

 

16p - 5 - 8p = -17 + 2p

8p - 5 = -17 + 2p              combine like

6p - 5 = -17                      subtract 2p from both sides

6p= -12                            add 5 to both sides

p = -2                              divide both sides by 2