Question

What is the most efficient first step to isolate the variable term on one side of this equation?
-9x = -4x + 5
Subtract 5 from both sides.
Add 5 to both sides.
Subtract 9x from both sides.
Add 4x to both sides.

Answer 1

Answer:

Add 4x to both sides.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adding 4x to both sides would move 'x' onto one side in a single step. The -9x and 4x would combine to make -5x.

$-9x = -4x + 5\\\rule{150}{0.5}\\-9x + 4x = -4x + 4x + 5\\\\-5x = 5\\\\\frac{-5x=5}{-5x}\\\\\boxed{x=-1}$

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Answer:

D. add 4x to both sides

Step-by-step explanation:

:)