Which sentence explains the correct first step in the solution of this equation? 4 • (x - 3) = 9

a) add 2 to both sides

b) apply the distrubutive property to get 4x-12=9

c) apply the distubitive property to get 4x-3=9

d) subtract 9 to both sides

The correct answer is B because when using the distributive property, you multiply the number outside of the parentheses to each of the numbers in the parentheses. 4 times x equals 4x, and 4 times 3 equals 12; therefore 4x-12=9 is the correct answer (which is letter B).

Simple,

this problem 4 * (x-3) = 9

is basically ...

4 (x-3) = 9

What do you do here?

Distribute the 4 changing 4 (x-3) into ...

4x-12=9

Thus, your answer is B.

Apply the Distributive property to get 4x-12=9.