Maybe do it this slightly different way: -5d - 24 = -4(d + 6) - d -5d - 24 = -4d - 24 - d -5d - 24 = -5d - 24 -5d + 5d = -24 + 24 0d = 0 You can substitute any number for d in that equation and it will always be a solution since zero times any number always equals 0. So the anwer is "c. all numbers". -------------------- But you could do it your way. From your result 1d = 1d you could tell that no matter what you substituted for d, it would always check. For instance if you substitute (2) for d 1d = 1d 1(2) = 1(2) 2 = 2 That checks. If you substitute (-3) for d 1d = 1d 1(-3) = 1(-3) -3 = -3 That checks. You have the same thing on both sides of the equation with your 1d = 1d So any number you substitute on either side will have to give you the same result on the other side. Edwin