Question

An equation is shown below.

-2(4x - 1) - 7 = 5

Which statement shows a correct next step in solving the equation?

The equation can become -2(4x - 1) = -2 by applying the distributive property.

The equation can become -2(4x - 1) = 12 by applying the addition property of equality.

The equation can become -2(4x - 1) = 12 by applying the commutative property of addition

The equation can become -2(4x - 1) = -2 by applying the subtraction property of equality.

Answer 1

To solve the equation, the first step is to add 7 to both sides:
-2(4x - 1) = 5 + 7 = 12
This is the addition property of equality.