To prove that \( x = -1 \) given the equation \(-2(x - 4) = 2x + 12\), we can follow a series of algebraic steps using properties of equations. Here are the statements and their corresponding properties:
-
Statement 1: \(-2(x - 4) = 2x + 12\)
Property: Given -
Statement 2: \(-2x + 8 = 2x + 12\)
Property: Distributive property (distributing \(-2\) to both \(x\) and \(-4\)) -
Statement 3: \(-2x - 2x + 8 = 12\)
Property: Addition of \(2x\) to both sides -
Statement 4: \(-4x + 8 = 12\)
Property: Combine like terms (collecting \(x\) terms) -
Statement 5: \(-4x = 12 - 8\)
Property: Subtraction of \(8\) from both sides -
Statement 6: \(-4x = 4\)
Property: Simplification -
Statement 7: \(x = \frac{4}{-4}\)
Property: Division by \(-4\) -
Statement 8: \(x = -1\)
Property: Simplification
Thus, we have proven \( x = -1 \) through a sequence of logical statements and properties.