Karen is writing a word problem that can be represented by the equation 2x + 3 = 13.

A bucket weights 2 grams and balls are put into it that each weight 3 grams. The total weight of the bucket and balls is 13 grams. How many balls are in the bucket?

Does her word problem fit the equation? Justify your response.

The correct answer would be 3x + 2 = 13. This is because the 3x is the 3 grams times the number of balls added to the bucket, and the 2 is the extra 2 grams added by the weight of the bucket. To solve this equation, you would subtract 2 from both sided to get rid of the weight of the bucket (this is called the subtraction property of equality) and you would be left with 3x = 11. The solution to this problem doesn't come out to an equal number because you would divide each side by three to leave just the number of balls in the bucket (this is called the subtraction property of equality). This would leave you with x = 3.6666 ...

Well the word problem does not fit the equation. It should be 2 + 3x = 13,

because the bucket weighs two grams, and the balls which are represented by (x) each weigh 3 grams.