Question

Solve the following equation by trial and error method:
3m - 14 = 4
(4 marks)

Answer 1

3m - 14 = 4
Putting m = -2 in L.H.S, we get,
3(-2) - 14 = -6 - 14 = -20
∵ -20 ≠ 4, therefore, m = -2 is not the solution.

Putting m = -1 in L.H.S, we get,
3(-1) - 14 = -3 - 14 =-17
∵ -17 ≠ 4, therefore, m = -1 is not the solution.

Putting m = 0 in L.H.S, we get,
3(0) - 14 = 0 - 14 = -14
∵ -14 ≠ 4, therefore, m = 0 is not the solution.

Putting m = 1 in L.H.S, we get,
3(1) - 14 = 3 - 14 = -11
∵ -11 ≠ 4, therefore, m = 1 is not the solution.

Putting m = 2 in L.H.S, we get,
3(2) -14 = 6 - 14 = -8
∵ -8 ≠ 4, therefore, m = 2 is not the solution.

Putting m = 3 in L.H.S, we get,
3(3) - 14 = 9 - 14 = -5
∵ -5 ≠ 4, therefore, m = 3 is not the solution.

Putting m = 5 in L.H.S, we get,
3(5) - 14 = 15 - 14 = 1
∵ 1 ≠ 4, therefore, m = 5 is not the solution.

Putting m = 6 in L.H.S, we get,
3(6) - 14 = 18 - 14 = 4
∵ 4 = 4, therefore, m = 6 is the solution.
(4 marks)