Jalil and Victoria are each asked to solve the equation ax – c = bx + d for x. Jalil says it is not possible to isolate x because each x has a different unknown coefficient. Victoria believes there is a solution, and shows Jalil her work: ax – c = bx + d ax – bx = d + c x (a – b) = d + c x = How can Victoria justify Step 3 of her work? Rewrite the expression on the left using the distributive property. Multiply both sides by x. Rewrite the expression on the left using subtraction. Divide both sides by x.
