Three adult and three child movie tickets were purchased for $75. The cost of each child ticket is $3 less than the cost of an adult ticket. The first step to solving this problem algebraically is to write an equation: 3(x+x−3)=75

, where x
represents the cost of an adult ticket. Identify the next step, which would simplify the equation before solving for the variable. (1 point)
Responses

Divide 75 by 3.
Divide 75 by 3.

Add 3 to 75
Add 3 to 75

Distribute values over the variables.
Distribute values over the variables.

Combine like terms in parentheses.
Combine like terms in parentheses.

1 answer

The next step to simplify the equation before solving for the variable would be:

Distribute values over the variables.

The equation \(3(x + (x - 3)) = 75\) should be simplified by distributing the 3 to both terms in the parentheses.