Question

Which sentence explains the correct first step in the solution of this equation?

4(x−3)=9

Answer 1

distribute 4(x-3)=9 to get 4x-12=9

Answer 2

Answer:

Given the equation: $4(x-3) =9$             ....[1]

The distributive property says that:

$a \cdot (b+c) = a\cdot b+ a\cdot c$

Apply the distributive property in [1] we get;

$4 \cdot x - 4\cdot 3 = 9$

Simplify:

$4x - 12= 9$

Therefore, the sentence that explains the correct first step i.,e $4x - 12= 9$ for the given equation: Distributive property.