How do you solve #12(x-4)=144# using the distributive property?

Question

3373 views around the world

You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License

Answer 1 · 2016-08-20T11:12:05

#x=16#

Distributive property states that #a×(b+c)=a×b+a×c#.

Hence, #12(x-4)=144# can be written as

#12×x-12×4=144# or

#12x-48=144# or

#12x=144+48=192# or

#x=192/12=(16×12)/(1×12)# or

#x=(16×cancel12)/(1×cancel12)# or

#x=16#

Answer 2 · 2016-08-20T11:15:17

#x=16#

This is saying: multiply everything inside the bracket by the 12.
This ability is the property of being distributive.

You can distribute the 12 over everything inside the bracket

#12x-48=144#

Add 48 to both sides

#12x=192#

Divide both sides by 12

#x=192/12 = 16#