Set 16: Linear Equations (Intermediate)

Choice B is correct. Choice C is the correct answer. We divide both sides by the coefficient to solve. 1. Start with the equation: $12x = 144$ 2. Divide both sides by 12: $x = \frac{144}{12}$ 3. Simplify: $x = 12$ 4. Verify: $12(12) = 144$ ✓ Notice that in this case, the coefficient (12) equals the solution (12). This happens when the right side is a perfect square of the coefficient. Pattern: $12^2 = 144$, so when we divide 144 by 12, we get 12 back. Choice A is incorrect because this results from adding: $144+ 12 = 156$. Addition is not the inverse of multiplication. Choice D is incorrect because this comes from subtracting: $144- 12 = 132$. Subtraction doesn't undo multiplication. Choice C is incorrect because this results from multiplying: $144\times 12 = 1728$. This makes the product even larger instead of isolating $x$.