The coordinate of point M on a number line is 11. If MN=12, what are the possible coordinates for N on the number line?

Question

What is N on the number line?

Answer 1

N is either -1 or 23

12-1 = 11

23-12 = 11

-1 and 23 are each a distance of 12 from 11

Answer 2

We use "substitution" to solve for N.

1) Write what you know

M = 11

M + N = 12

2) Replace M with 11

11 + N = 12

3) Solve for N.

11 + N = 12

-11. -11

N = 1

OR

1) Write what you know

M = 11

M x N = 12

2) Replace M with 11

11 x N = 12

3) Solve for N.

11 x N = 12

11 11

N = 12/11