Question

in solving ( wz + x = y ) for ( w ), you first need to:

a. divide by ( z )

b. multiply by ( z )

c. subtract ( x ) from both sides

d. add ( x ) to both sides

Explanation:

To solve \( wz + x = y \) for \( w \), we need to isolate the term with \( w \) first. The term with \( w \) is \( wz \), and there is an \( x \) added to it. So, we should perform the inverse operation of addition (which is subtraction) to get rid of the \( x \) from the left side. That means we subtract \( x \) from both sides. Let's check the options:

• Option a: Dividing by \( z \) would be a later step, not the first.
• Option b: Multiplying by \( z \) is incorrect as it would complicate the equation.
• Option c: Subtracting \( x \) from both sides is the correct first step to isolate \( wz \) (since \( wz + x - x = y - x \), simplifying to \( wz = y - x \)).
• Option d: Adding \( x \) would make the left side \( wz + 2x \), which is not helpful.

Answer:

c. Subtract \( x \) from both sides