Question

Select the action you would use to solve 3x = 12. Then select the property that justifies that action.

Select all that apply.
A) Action: Add 3 to both sides.
B) Action: Multiply both sides by 3.
C) Action: Divide both sides by 3.
D) Property: Addition property of equality
E) Property: Multiplication property of equality
F) Property: Division property of equality

Answer 1

To solve the equation 3x = 12, divide both sides by 3. This operation is justified by the Division property of equality, leading to the solution x = 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve the equation 3x = 12, you should take the action:

• C) Action: Divide both sides by 3.

This action is justified by the property:

• F) Property: Division property of equality.

This means that you divide both sides of the equation by 3 to isolate the variable 'x' and solve for it. When you apply this operation correctly, the equation becomes x = 12 / 3, which simplifies to x = 4.

Note that action A (adding 3 to both sides) and action B (multiplying both sides by 3) are not appropriate for solving this equation because they do not help in isolating the variable 'x'.

In general, when an equation involves multiplication or division by a number, you can use the opposite operation to solve for the variable. This does not change the equality of the equation because you are performing the same action on both sides.