Simonne used the following steps to simplify the given expression. Simonne's Work 12 minus 3 times open paren negative 2 x plus 4 close paren Step 1: 12 plus negative 3 times open paren negative 2 x close paren plus negative 3 times 4 Step 2: 12 plus 6 x plus negative 12 Step 3: 12 plus negative 12 plus 6 x Step 4: 0 plus 6 x Step 5: 6 x What property of real numbers was used to transition from step 3 to step 4?
Answer
A
identity property of addition
B
commutative property of addition
C
inverse property of addition
D
associative property of addition
Explanation
In step 3, the terms 12 and −12 are additive inverses: their sum is 0. Replacing 12 + (−12) with 0 uses the inverse property of addition, so the correct choice is “inverse property of addition.”
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