Q. How many solutions does this equation have?−8m=−8m−2Choices:(A)no solution(B)one solution(C)infinitely many solutions
Analyze the equation: Analyze the equation –8m=–8m−2. We have the same term on both sides of the equation, –8m, but on the right side, there is an additional –2.
Simplify by subtracting: Attempt to simplify the equation by subtracting –8m from both sides to isolate the variable m.–8m+8m=–8m+8m−20=–2
Evaluate the result: Evaluate the result of the simplification.We end up with a statement that says 0=−2, which is a contradiction because 0 can never equal −2.This means that there is no value of m that can satisfy the equation.
Conclude number of solutions: Conclude the number of solutions based on the contradiction.Since the equation results in a false statement, it has no solution.
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