Ned divided a given number by 3 and then added 2. If he should have multiplied the number by 3 and then subtracted 2, which of the following two steps can he do next to get the correct answer?

Subtract 4 and then multiply by 9.

Subtract 12 and then multiply by 3.

Multiply by 3 and then subtract 4.

Multiply by 6 and then subtract 14.

Multiply by 9 and then subtract 20.

I think C.

he has n/3 + 2

he wants 3n - 2

to get the 3n, he needs to multiply by 9. That will give him 3n+18

So, then he needs to subtract 20.

To solve this problem, let's work through the steps logically.

Ned initially divided the given number by 3 and then added 2.

If he should have multiplied the number by 3 instead of dividing it, to reverse the first step, he needs to perform the opposite operation - which is multiplying by 3.

After multiplying by 3, the number would be 3 times the original number.

Now, instead of adding 2, he should subtract 2, which is the opposite operation.

Therefore, the correct steps would be to multiply by 3 and then subtract 2.

Out of the given options, option C: Multiply by 3 and then subtract 4 matches the correct steps.

Subtract 3(-x2 +6xy-4) -2y2+9 from 12-2y(y-9x)+x²