To solve the equation \( \frac{x}{4} - 3 = 12 \), the first step would be to isolate the term involving \( x \) by adding 3 to both sides:
\[ \frac{x}{4} = 12 + 3 \]
Now let's apply the same principle to each of the provided equations to determine which one requires the same first step:
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For \( 12x + 3 = -4 \):
- Subtract 3 from both sides: \[ 12x = -4 - 3 \ 12x = -7 \]
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For \( 4x - 3 = 12 \):
- Add 3 to both sides: \[ 4x = 12 + 3 \ 4x = 15 \]
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For \( \frac{x}{3} - 4 = 3 \):
- Add 4 to both sides: \[ \frac{x}{3} = 3 + 4 \ \frac{x}{3} = 7 \]
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For \( 4x - 12 = 3 \):
- Add 12 to both sides: \[ 4x = 3 + 12 \ 4x = 15 \]
The equation that shares the same first step (adding or subtracting a constant to isolate the variable) with \( \frac{x}{4} - 3 = 12 \) is \( 4x - 3 = 12 \), since we would also add 3 to both sides in that case.
Thus, the answer is: 4x - 3 = 12.