Question

Steps for solving 4(3x - 6) = 24 are shown.
Which of these is not part of the solution process?
4(3x - 6) = 24
12x - 24 = 24
12x - 24 + 24 = 24 + 24
12z = 48
12x
48
＝
12
12
x = 4
Original Equation
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Using the distributive property
Dividing both sides by 12 to isolate the variable
Simplifying by combining variable terms
Adding 24 to both sides to isolate the variable term

Answer 1

Let's analyze the steps you've provided for solving the equation \(4(3x - 6) = 24\):

1. **Starting Equation**: \(4(3x - 6) = 24\)
2. **Applying Distributive Property**: \(12x - 24 = 24\)
3. **Adding 24 to Both Sides**: \(12x - 24 + 24 = 24 + 24\) → This simplifies to \(12x = 48\)
4. **Dividing Both Sides by 12**: \(x = 4\)

Now, let's identify which listed step is not part of the solution process:

- **Using the distributive property**: This step is used when expanding \(4(3x - 6)\) to \(12x - 24\).
- **Adding 24 to both sides to isolate the variable term**: This is part of the solution, as we add 24 to both sides to isolate \(12x\).
- **Simplifying by combining variable terms**: This step is not applicable in this process since we're not combining terms of different variables or constants in these steps. There are no variable terms to combine.
- **Dividing both sides by 12 to isolate the variable**: This step is used when solving for \(x = 4\).

The step that is **not** part of the solution process is ***Simplifying by combining variable terms***.