Now David wants to solve the equation $4000x-8000=16{,}000$.  

1. What easier equation could he solve instead that would give him the same solution? (In other words, what equivalent equation has easier numbers to work with?)

   Hint (a):

   Simplify the equation. What's the GREATEST common factor of these three terms?

   Answer (a):

   Divide by $4000$.
   $x-2=4$

2. Justify that your equation in part (a) is equivalent to $4000x-8000=16{,}000$ by showing that they have the same solution.

   Hint (b):

   Solve for $x$ in BOTH equations. Do they yield the same value?

3. David’s last equation to solve is $\frac { x } { 100 } + \frac { 3 } { 100 } = \frac { 8 } { 100 }$. Write and solve an equivalent equation with easier numbers that would give him the same answer.

   Hint (c):

   Multiply the equation by the least common denominator to factor out the denominators.

   Step 1(c):

   $100\left(\frac{x}{100}\right)+100\left(\frac{3}{100}\right)=100\left(\frac{8}{100}\right)$

   Step 2(c):

   Remove the three sets of $100\text{s}$. They are Giant Ones.

   Step 3(c):

   $x + 3 = 8$