Answer:
D
Step-by-step explanation:
Ella correctly divided 85 by 5 before she did anything else. Neither A nor B will let you do that. You would also have to divide 12 in some form by 5. So the answer is between C and D
C would require that you subtract 12 from the result of 85/5. That is not what Ella did. She added to the result of the division.
The only equation, backwards as it seems, that does what Ella did is D.
Let's follow it through.
Ella
85/5 = 17
17 + 12 = 29
Brad (D)
5(x - 12) = 85 Normally you remove the brackets. This time divide by 5
5(x - 12)/5 = 85/5 Do the division
x - 12 = 17 Add 12 to both sides
x -12+12=17+12 Add
x = 29
Note
You should solve D by removing the brackets.
5x - 60 = 85 Add 60 to both sides
5x = 85 + 60 Combine the right
5x = 145 Divide by 5
5x/5 = 145/5 Do the division
x = 29 which is what you should get.
This is very tricky, especially when you get to the add 12 result. Make sure you spend some time with this problem
