Let's analyze the expression step by step:
The original expression is: \[ -3(x + 2) + 6x \]
The correct way to distribute \(-3\) to both terms inside the parentheses is: \[ -3(x) + -3(2) + 6x = -3x - 6 + 6x \]
Now, combine like terms: \[ -3x + 6x - 6 = (6x - 3x) - 6 = 3x - 6 \]
Now, comparing this with what the student did, the student's mistake was:
- The student distributed \(-3\) incorrectly, only distributing it to the second term instead of both terms. They wrote: \[ -3(x + 2) = -3x + 2 \] (which is incorrect).
The corrected distribution gives: \[ -3x - 6 + 6x \]
Thus, the student's error was in distributing \(-3\) to both terms inside the parentheses, and the student only distributed it to the second term.
The correct answer to the expression is: \[ 3x - 6 \]
So filling in the blanks: The student forgot to distribute \(-3\) to both terms inside the parentheses. The student only distributed it to the second term. The correct answer is \(3x - 6\).