-4(3x+1)+9 would you start -12x=-4+9?

Question

is the problem started correctily? i am still learning this

Answer 1

-4(3x + 1) + 9

This is an expression, not an equation. You can't make it an equation. You can use the (=) sign only to tranistion between steps.

The first step is to distribute:

-12x - 4 + 9 =

now combine like terms:

-12x + 5

This is as far is simplifying an expression can go.