Well since we don't have a different sub forum for math talk, I guess I'll just post this here. I was bored so I was taking a math placement test and I came to this problem:

The solution to 5x - ( x - 3) = 2 is also the solution to:

A. 4 x - 3 = 2
B. 4 x = 1
C. 4 x = -5
D. 4 x + 3 = 2
E. I do not know


Here's how I did the problem:

5x - ( x - 3) = 2

5x -x +3 = 2 (Multiplied the negative sign into the parentheses)

4x +3 = 2 (Subtracted x from 5x)

4x = -1 (Subtracted 3 from the left side and added it to the right)

With the final answer being 4x = -1


Did I do something wrong? The only option closest to that is 4x = 1, but I'm not sure how I would of mixed the signs up.

Any help?


P.S. Let's get a Math Theory/Discussion forum FTW!