Question

Which equation has the same first step for solving it as the equation: x/4 - 3 = 12

12x + 3 = -4
4x - 3 = 12
x/3 - 4 = 3
4x - 12 = 3

Answer 1

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:

1. For \( 12x + 3 = -4 \):
- Subtract 3 from both sides:
\[
12x = -4 - 3 \\
12x = -7
\]

2. For \( 4x - 3 = 12 \):
- Add 3 to both sides:
\[
4x = 12 + 3 \\
4x = 15
\]

3. For \( \frac{x}{3} - 4 = 3 \):
- Add 4 to both sides:
\[
\frac{x}{3} = 3 + 4 \\
\frac{x}{3} = 7
\]

4. 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**.