Question x-29-x

1.2 Linear Equations in One Variable - Variables on both sides
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x-29=x-ax-29

Which of the following are solutions to the given equation, where a is a constant and a>30?

  1. a
  2. a + 1
  3. 29
A.

we and Iwe only

B.

we and IIwe only

C.

Iwe and IIwe only

D.

I, II, and III

x - 29 = x - a x - 29 Which of the following are solutions

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Linear Equations in One Variable — Variables on both sides. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice C is correct. Subtracting the expression x-29 from both sides of the given equation yields 0=x-ax-29-x-29, which can be rewritten as 0=x-ax-29+-1x-29. Since the two terms on the right-hand side of this equation have a common factor of x-29, it can be rewritten as 0=x-29x-a+-1, or 0=x-29x-a-1. Since x-a-1 is equivalent to x-a+1, the equation 0=x-29x-a-1 can be rewritten as 0=x-29x-a+1. By the zero product property, it follows that x-29=0 or x-a+1=0. Adding 29 to both sides of the equation x-29=0 yields x = 29 . Adding a+1 to both sides of the equation x-a+1=0 yields x=a+1. Therefore, the two solutions to the given equation are 29 and a + 1 . Thus, only a + 1 and 29 , not a , are solutions to the given equation.

Choice A is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.