Solve:

4 (a+3) = 12+4a

a = any real number

Step-by-step explanation:

4 (a+3) = 12+4a

Distribute

4a+12 = 12 + 4a

Subtract 4a from each side

4a+12 = 12 + 4a

4a-4a + 12 = 12+4a-4a

12=12

This is always true so a is any real number

All real numbers

Step-by-step explanation:

4 (a + 3) = 12 + 4a

Start by distributing 4 inside the parentheses. This means to multiply everything inside the parentheses by 4.

4a + 12 = 12 + 4a

Already, you can see that they are exactly the same (if you switch the terms around), but we can continue to make sure.

Subtract 4a from both sides of the equation.

12 = 12

This is a TRUE statement, so this means that the equation has infinitely many solutions (real numbers).