Question

after the bank cashed a check maureen wrote for $60, her balance was $-14. the equation $b + (-60) = -14$ can be used to represent this situation, where $b$ is maureens balance, in dollars, before the check was cashed. maureen attempted to solve the equation using the steps below.
$b + (-60) = -14$
$b \quad -60 \\ -60$
$b = -74$
what error, if any, did maureen make?
\bigcirc maureens work is correct, and her original balance was $-74$.
\bigcirc maureen should have added 60 to both sides.
\bigcirc maureen should have added 14 to both sides.
\bigcirc maureen made a computational error when she subtracted $-14 - 60$.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Equation Solving

To solve \( b + (-60) = -14 \), we need to isolate \( b \). The correct operation is to add 60 to both sides (since we undo the addition of -60, which is equivalent to subtracting 60, so we add 60).

Step2: Analyze Maureen's Step

Maureen subtracted 60 from both sides (\( b + (-60) - 60 = -14 - 60 \)), which is incorrect. The correct step is \( b + (-60) + 60 = -14 + 60 \), so she should have added 60 to both sides.

Answer:

Maureen should have added 60 to both sides.