Question

4x + 12 + 2x = 5x - 2
6x + 12 = 5x - 2
1x + 12 = -2
1x = -14
x = -14
Identify the step in which the mistake was made
Then provide a correction to that step (you do not need to solve the remainder of the problem).

Answer 1

There is no algebraic mistake — all steps are correct. (4x + 12 + 2x = 5x − 2 → 6x + 12 = 5x − 2 → x + 12 = −2 → x = −14.)

If you want a minor correction in notation, replace "1x + 12 = -2" with "x + 12 = -2" (they mean the same thing).