Question

lets solve this equation a different way. solve 4(x + 2) = 12. what does 4(x + 2) represent? 4 groups of x + 2 how can you isolate the expression x + 2? ? 4 on both sides. 4(x + 2) = 12

Explanation:

Step1: Recall equation-solving principles

To isolate \( x + 2 \) in \( 4(x + 2)=12 \), we use the inverse operation of multiplication. Since \( 4 \) and \( (x + 2) \) are multiplied, we divide both sides by \( 4 \).

Step2: Perform the operation

Dividing both sides of \( 4(x + 2)=12 \) by \( 4 \) gives \( \frac{4(x + 2)}{4}=\frac{12}{4} \), which simplifies to \( x + 2 = 3 \). Then, to solve for \( x \), we subtract \( 2 \) from both sides: \( x+2 - 2=3 - 2 \), so \( x = 1 \). But for the question "How can you isolate the expression \( x + 2 \)?", the operation is to divide both sides by \( 4 \).

Answer:

Divide