Three adult and three child movie tickets were purchased for $75. The cost of each child ticket is $3 less than the cost of an adult ticket. The first step to solving this problem algebraically is to write an equation: 3(x+x−3)=75, where x

represents the cost of an adult ticket. Identify the next step, which would simplify the equation before solving for the variable. (5 point)
Responses

Combine like terms in parentheses.

Divide 75 by 3.

Distribute values over the variables

Add 3 to 75

Combine like terms in parentheses.

explain

Combining like terms means adding or subtracting terms that have the same variables and exponents. In this case, the terms in parentheses are 2x - 3. To combine them, you simply add the coefficients of the like terms.

So, the next step would be to simplify the equation by combining the terms inside the parentheses:

3(x + x - 3) = 75

3(2x - 3) = 75

6x - 9 = 75

Now, you can proceed with solving for the variable, x.