Question

How do you solve $3\left( {x - 4} \right) = 3x - 12?$

Answer 1

Hint: This problem deals with expanding algebraic expressions. While expanding an algebraic expression, we combine more than one number or variable by performing the given algebraic operations. The basic steps to simplify an algebraic expression are: remove parentheses by multiplying factors, use exponent rules to remove parentheses in terms with exponents, combine like terms by adding coefficients, and then combine the constants.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Given a linear expression of $x$, and we have to expand the given expression and simplify the expression to solve the value of $x$.
Now expanding the given expression by using the distributive property.
Consider the given linear expression, as given below:
$ \Rightarrow 3\left( {x - 4} \right) = 3x - 12$
Now using the distributive property, multiplying the number with the all the terms of the expression in the bracket, on the left hand side, as shown below:
$ \Rightarrow \left( {3\left( x \right) - 3\left( 4 \right)} \right) = 3x - 12$
Now after the expansion of the multiplication of the terms, simplifying the terms as given below:
\[ \Rightarrow \left( {3x - 12} \right) = 3x - 12\]
\[ \Rightarrow 3x - 12 = 3x - 12\]
Here we can see that the left hand side of the equation is equal to the right hand side of the equation. So the equation holds true for any value of $x$, for the given equation.
That is $x$ can be each and every value for the equation to satisfy.
Hence $x$ is the set of all real numbers.
$\therefore x = \left\{ \mathbb{R} \right\}$

The value of $x = \left\{ \mathbb{R} \right\}$

Note: While solving this problem please note that we expanded the given expression with the help of distributive property. This is done by using the distributive property to remove any parentheses or brackets and by combining the like terms and unlike terms. If you see parenthesis with more than one term inside, then distribute first.