Question

what is the first appropriate step for isolating k in the equation $h = \frac{k + j}{l}$?
a. subtract j from both sides
b. multiply both sides by l
c. add j to both sides
d. divide both sides by l

Explanation:

To isolate \( k \) in the equation \( h=\frac{k + j}{l} \), we need to eliminate the denominator \( l \) first. The inverse operation of division is multiplication. So, multiplying both sides by \( l \) will get rid of the denominator on the right - hand side. If we do this, the equation becomes \( h\times l=k + j \), which is a necessary first step towards isolating \( k \). Subtracting \( j \) from both sides is not the first step as the denominator is still there. Adding \( j \) to both sides would move us further from isolating \( k \). Dividing both sides by \( l \) would make the right - hand side more complicated as it would be \( \frac{k + j}{l^{2}} \).

Answer:

b. Multiply both sides by \( l \)