Which expression is equivalent to the given expression?
12(x – 17)
A.
12x – 12 • 17
B.
12x – 17
C.
12x – 29
D.
12 + 12 • 17
None of those answers is correct.
12(x – 17) = 12x - 204
To determine which expression is equivalent to 12(x - 17), let's simplify it by distributing the 12 to both terms inside the parentheses.
12(x - 17) = 12 * x - 12 * 17
Simplifying further:
= 12x - 204
Now we can compare this simplified form with the given options:
A. 12x - 12 * 17 - Not equivalent because 12 * 17 is equal to 204, not -204.
B. 12x - 17 - Not equivalent because the simplified form is 12x - 204.
C. 12x - 29 - Not equivalent because the simplified form is 12x - 204.
D. 12 + 12 * 17 - Not equivalent because 12 + 12 * 17 is a different expression entirely.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
12(x - 17) is equivalent to 12x - 204.