Question

An equation is shown below:

4(x - 3) - 5(x + 1) = 3

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

The equation can become 4x - 3 - 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication.

The equation can become 4x - 3 - 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the distributive property.

The equation can become 4x - 12 - 5x - 5 = 3 by applying the distributive property.

The equation can become 4x - 12 - 5x - 5 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication.

----------
What is distributive and associative properties?

Answer 1

The equation can become 4x - 12 - 5x - 5 by using the distributive property.

The distributive property : a (b + c) = ab + ac...basically, you just multiply everything in the parenthesis by the number outside of the parenthesis.

The associative property : (a x b) x c = a x (b x c)....its basically saying that it does not matter how you group the numbers, the answer will be the same.

any questions ?

Answer 2

No, that cleared it up for me. Thanks so much! @texaschic101

Answer 3

no problem :)

Answer 4

The equation can become 4x - 12 - 5x - 5 = 3 by applying the distributive property.

Answer 5

3 + 4x = 5x + -4
3 + 4x = -4 + 5x
Solving for variable 'x'.