Ethan planted a tree that was 1.85 meters tall. Several years later, the tree is 5.30 meters tall. Which equation can be used to find x, the number of meters the tree has grown? 1.85 + 2 = 5.30 1.85 + 5.30 = x 1.85% = 5.30 1.85 * 5.30 = x My Progress > 18.1.85 + x = 5.30
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
✅ Correct Equation:
1.85 + x = 5.30
🧠 Explanation
To solve for how many meters the tree has grown, we need to calculate the difference between the final height and the original height. The question tells us:
- The original height of the tree was 1.85 meters.
- The new height after several years is 5.30 meters.
- We need to find how much the tree has grown — that is, the increase in height, which we call x.
We can think of this situation as:
Starting Height + Growth = Final Height
In numbers, this is:
1.85 + x = 5.30
This equation shows that the original height of 1.85 meters plus the unknown amount it grew (x) gives the total height of 5.30 meters.
To solve for x, subtract 1.85 from both sides of the equation: x=5.30−1.85=3.45x = 5.30 – 1.85 = 3.45
So, the tree has grown 3.45 meters.
❌ Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
- 1.85 + 2 = 5.30:
This assumes the tree only grew 2 meters, but 1.85 + 2 = 3.85, not 5.30. So it’s incorrect. - 1.85 + 5.30 = x:
This adds the original and final heights, giving 7.15, which doesn’t make sense in this context. We want the difference, not the sum. - 1.85% = 5.30:
This uses a percent sign, which doesn’t belong here. We’re not dealing with percentages, just actual measurements in meters. - 1.85 × 5.30 = x:
This would give the product of the two numbers (about 9.805), which has no meaning in terms of growth.
✅ Final Answer:
1.85 + x = 5.30
This correctly models the growth of the tree.
