Question

Solve: 3(x + 5) = 2x + 35

Step 1: 3x + 15 = 2x + 35
Step 2: x + 15 = 35
Step 3: 5x = 50
Step 4: x = 10

Which is the first incorrect step in the solution shown above?
a) Step 1
b) Step 2
c) Step 3
d) Step 4

Please offer a clear explanation along with the answer. Thank you!

Answer 1

remember, you can do anything to an equation as long as you do it to both sides

I will justify each step and provide reasoning


step 1: we distributed, the distaibution is correct

step 2: we minused 2x from both sides, correct

step 3: ????? how did we get from x to 5x
also, 15+35=35, but we need to minus the 15 from both sides, not add



step 3 is the first wrong step