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

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.