College

Given the solution process:

[tex]
\[
\begin{aligned}
4(3x - 6) & = 24 & & \text{Original Equation} \\
12x - 24 & = 24 & & \text{Step 1: Use the distributive property} \\
12x - 24 + 24 & = 24 + 24 & & \text{Step 2: Add 24 to both sides} \\
12x & = 48 & & \text{Step 3} \\
\frac{12x}{12} & = \frac{48}{12} & & \text{Step 4: Divide both sides by 12} \\
x & = 4 & & \text{Step 5}
\end{aligned}
\]
[/tex]

Which of these is not part of the solution process?

A. Dividing both sides by 12 to isolate the variable
B. Using the distributive property
C. Adding 24 to both sides to isolate the variable term
D. Simplifying by combining variable terms

Answer :

We start with the equation
[tex]$$
4(3x-6)=24.
$$[/tex]

Step 1: Distribute
Apply the distributive property to eliminate the parentheses:
[tex]$$
4 \cdot 3x - 4 \cdot 6 = 12x - 24.
$$[/tex]
Now the equation becomes
[tex]$$
12x - 24 = 24.
$$[/tex]

Step 2: Add 24 to both sides
To isolate the term with [tex]$x$[/tex], add 24 to both sides:
[tex]$$
12x - 24 + 24 = 24 + 24 \quad \Longrightarrow \quad 12x = 48.
$$[/tex]

Step 3: Divide by 12
Finally, divide both sides of the equation by 12 to solve for [tex]$x$[/tex]:
[tex]$$
\frac{12x}{12} = \frac{48}{12} \quad \Longrightarrow \quad x = 4.
$$[/tex]

Now, let’s address the multiple-choice options. The solution process included:
- Using the distributive property to expand [tex]$4(3x-6)$[/tex].
- Adding 24 to both sides to cancel the [tex]$-24$[/tex] and isolate the variable term.
- Dividing both sides by 12 to solve for [tex]$x$[/tex].

Thus, the step that was not involved in this process is:
- Simplifying by combining variable terms.

The correct answer is therefore option D.