Final answer:
Option A, 3 (x² – 8x + 16), is not equivalent to (3x – 12)(x + 4) because when expanded and simplified, it does not match the correct product of the expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the options is NOT equivalent to the expression (3x – 12)(x + 4). To determine equivalency, each option must be expanded and simplified. Option A: 3 (x² – 8x + 16) simplifies to 3x² – 24x + 48 after distributing the 3. Option B: 3 (x² - 16) simplifies to 3x² - 48, which is a different form of the correct expanded expression, and option C: 3x² – 48 is the correct simplified form. Lastly, option D: 3x(x + 4) - 12(x + 4) would expand to the original form as well. Therefore, option A is not equivalent because the expanded terms do not match the product of (3x – 12)(x + 4).