The correct first step to solving the equation 3(6+x)=24 is 18 + 3x = 24
The correct first step to solving the equation 3(6+x)=24 is to distribute the 3 on the left-hand side. This gives us:
18 + 3x = 24
The other equations are not correct first steps because they either do not distribute the 3 correctly or they change the equation in a way that makes it more difficult to solve.
Complete question:
Drag each equation to show if it could be a correct first step to solving the equation 3(6+x)=24.
18 + 3x = 24
6 + x = 8
( 3 ⋅ 6 ) + ( 3 ⋅ x) = 24
6 + 3x = 24
3 (6 + x) = 72
18 + x = 24