To solve the equation \(2x - 4 = 24\), the first step would typically be to isolate the term with the variable \(x\). Here's a breakdown:
- Add 4 to both sides to eliminate the \(-4\) from the left side.
So the second step, after understanding you need to first add, would be:
- Add 4 to both sides:
\[ 2x - 4 + 4 = 24 + 4 \implies 2x = 28 \]
From here, you would then proceed to divide both sides by 2 to solve for \(x\).
So, the answer to your question is add both sides (adding 4 to both sides is the second step for solving this equation).