How do you solve for z: 4(z + 3) = 72?

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Answer 1 · 2016-02-21T16:11:30

You must first distribute the parentheses.

To distribute the parentheses means to multiply each term inside the Parentheses with the term(s) directly outside to the left of the parentheses.

Ex: #2(x + 4) = 2x + 8#, since the 2 is multiplied with the x and with the 4.

Now to the equation:

#4(z + 3) = 72#

#4z + 12 = 72#

#4z = 60#

#z = 15#

Hopefully this helps!