Question

Original equation: `12x+3=21x-15`

The result of Anika's first step was `4x+1=7x-5`.



Describe the first step Anika made for the equation.

Answer 1

Answer: To get from the original equation 12x+3=21x-15 to 4x+1=7x-5, Anika likely subtracted 9x from both sides of the equation.

This is because 12x - 9x = 3x and 21x - 9x = 12x, which simplifies the equation to 3x + 3 = 12x - 15.

Then, Anika likely subtracted 3 from both sides to get 3x = -18, which simplifies to x = -6.

Explanation: