Identify the second step in solving this equation for y-3(y+6)=21

Question

Identify the second step in solving this equation for y-3(y+6)=21

Answer 1

wrong again. That's actually the first step.

The second step is either to collect the y terms, or add 18 to both sides, as shown below.

y-3(y+6)=21
y - 3y - 18 = 21
-2y - 18 = 21
...

or
y-3(y+6)=21
y - 3y - 18 = 21
y - 3y = 39
...

Answer 2

Apologies for the confusion. You are correct.

The second step can either be to collect the y terms or add 18 to both sides:

Option 1: Collecting the y terms
y - 3(y+6) = 21
y - 3y - 18 = 21
-2y - 18 = 21

Option 2: Adding 18 to both sides
y - 3(y+6) = 21
y - 3y - 18 = 21
y - 3y = 39

Both options are viable and will lead to different forms of solving the equation.

Answer 3

The second step in solving the equation y-3(y+6)=21 is to distribute the -3 to the terms inside the parentheses. This can be done by multiplying -3 with both y and 6.