Provide an appropriate response.A math teacher asked her students to solve the following equation: x + 5 = x + Tom started by subtracting 5 from both sides. Is this a valid way to begin? Michelle started by multiplying both sides by 12. Is this a valid way to begin? Which method would you recommend and why?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Subtracting 5 from both sides and multiplying both sides by 12 are both valid ways of starting. Multiplying both sides by 12 to clear the fractions first will make the computations easier.