What is the justification for the step taken from line 2 to line 3?

[tex]\[
\begin{aligned}
3x + 9 - 7x & = x + 10 + x \\
-4x + 9 & = 2x + 10 \\
-6x + 9 & = 10 \\
-6x & = 1 \\
x & = -\frac{1}{6}
\end{aligned}
\][/tex]

A. the subtraction property of equality
B. the multiplication property of equality
C. combining like terms on one side of the equation
D. the distributive property



Answer :

The justification for the step taken from line 2 to line 3 in the given equation is: combining like terms on one side of the equation.

Here's the detailed, step-by-step solution:

1. Start with the original equation:
[tex]\[ 3x + 9 - 7x = x + 10 + x \][/tex]

2. Combine like terms on both sides to simplify the expression.

- On the left-hand side, combine the [tex]\(3x\)[/tex] and [tex]\(-7x\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 3x - 7x + 9 = -4x + 9 \][/tex]

- On the right-hand side, combine the two [tex]\(x\)[/tex] terms:
[tex]\[ x + x + 10 = 2x + 10 \][/tex]

After combining the like terms, the equation becomes:
[tex]\[ -4x + 9 = 2x + 10 \][/tex]

3. Combine like terms on one side of the equation. This step involves collecting all the [tex]\(x\)[/tex] terms on one side and the constant terms on the other side.

- Subtract [tex]\(2x\)[/tex] from both sides to get all [tex]\(x\)[/tex] terms on one side:
[tex]\[ -4x - 2x + 9 = 2x - 2x + 10 \][/tex]

Simplifying gives:
[tex]\[ -6x + 9 = 10 \][/tex]

4. Isolate the [tex]\(x\)[/tex] term. Subtract 9 from both sides to get:
[tex]\[ -6x + 9 - 9 = 10 - 9 \][/tex]

Simplifying gives:
[tex]\[ -6x = 1 \][/tex]

5. Solve for [tex]\(x\)[/tex] by dividing both sides by -6:
[tex]\[ x = -\frac{1}{6} \][/tex]

Each step follows algebraic principles correctly, and the justification for step 2 to step 3 is indeed the combining like terms on one side of the equation.

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