How do you solve x/3 = 12?

• A. Add 3 to both sides
• B. Multiply both sides by 3
• C. Subtract 3 from both sides
• D. Add 12 to both sides

Answer: (B)

To solve the equation ( \frac{x}{3} = 12 ), the goal is to isolate ( x ) on one side of the equation. Since ( x ) is divided by 3, you can eliminate that division by performing the opposite operation, which is multiplication. Therefore, multiplying both sides of the equation by 3 will help you isolate ( x ).

When you multiply both sides by 3, the equation becomes:

[

3 \cdot \frac{x}{3} = 3 \cdot 12

]

The left side simplifies to ( x ) since ( 3 ) cancels out with the denominator of ( 3 ). The right side becomes ( 36 ) (because ( 3 \times 12 = 36 )). So, you find that ( x = 36 ).

This method of isolating the variable by doing the opposite operation is a fundamental technique in solving algebraic equations, making the choice to multiply by 3 the correct approach in this case.