Question

how can $3.7 = x + (-5)$ be solved for $x$ in one step?
\bigcirc\\ add 3.7 to both sides.
\bigcirc\\ add 5 to both sides.
\bigcirc\\ subtract 3.7 from both sides
\bigcirc\\ subtract 5 from both sides

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the equation

The equation is \(3.7 = x+(-5)\), which simplifies to \(3.7=x - 5\) (since adding a negative is subtracting the positive).

Step2: Analyze inverse operations

To solve for \(x\), we need to isolate \(x\). The inverse operation of subtracting 5 is adding 5. So we add 5 to both sides of the equation. Let's check:
If we add 5 to both sides: \(3.7 + 5=x-5 + 5\), which simplifies to \(8.7=x\), isolating \(x\) in one step.
Adding 3.7 would not isolate \(x\), subtracting 3.7 also wouldn't, and subtracting 5 would make the equation \(3.7-5=x - 10\), which doesn't isolate \(x\).

Answer:

B. Add 5 to both sides.