Question

Which of the following expressions should you write in the blank to create a balanced equation? 4(x + 1) - 12 = 4x + ______ - 12

O 12
O 3
O 2
O 5/10

Answer 1

To balance the equation 4(x + 1) - 12 = 4x + __ - 12, we distribute the 4 and simplify the expressions on both sides, revealing that the missing expression is 4, resulting in a balanced equation of 4x + 4 - 12 = 4x + 4 - 12.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the missing expression in a balanced equation. The original equation is 4(x + 1) - 12 = 4x + __ - 12. To balance the equation, we must ensure that the expressions on both sides of the equals sign are equivalent.

By distributing the 4 on the left side, we get 4x + 4 - 12. To simplify, we combine like terms: 4x - 8. Therefore, the expression that should fill the blank is 4, to ensure when 12 is subtracted from both 4x + 4 and 4x + __, the equations remain balanced. The completed balanced equation is: 4x + 4 - 12 = 4x + 4 - 12.