Is 3 - 9x the same as 9x - 3?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the expression 3 - 9x is equivalent to the expression 9x - 3. To determine this, we will compare the two expressions and see if they yield the same result for all values of x.
Answer
The expressions $3 - 9x$ and $9x - 3$ are not equivalent.
Answer for screen readers
The expressions $3 - 9x$ and $9x - 3$ are not equivalent.
Steps to Solve
- Evaluate the first expression
We have the expression $3 - 9x$. For various values of $x$, we can calculate its result.
- Evaluate the second expression
Now, let’s evaluate the second expression $9x - 3$. We will also calculate its result for the same values of $x$.
- Compare the values
We will now compare the results of both expressions. If they yield the same result for all values of $x$, then they are equivalent.
- Test specific values
Let's test some specific values for $x$, for example, $x = 0$ and $x = 1$:
-
For $x = 0$:
- $3 - 9(0) = 3$
- $9(0) - 3 = -3$
-
For $x = 1$:
- $3 - 9(1) = -6$
- $9(1) - 3 = 6$
- Draw conclusion
Since the results of the two expressions differ for the values tested, we can conclude that the expressions are not equivalent.
The expressions $3 - 9x$ and $9x - 3$ are not equivalent.
More Information
This comparison shows that the two expressions result in different values for the same input, confirming they are not equivalent. Understanding the difference in the order of operands is crucial when manipulating expressions.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that expressions are equivalent simply because they contain the same numbers and variables. It’s essential to evaluate them for specific values to see if they yield the same result.
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
