Which are possible first steps in solving the equation 4x + 3 = 18?

C D and E

Step-by-step explanation:

The only one you probably can never do is B. It get's you no where. The way A is written, it is not much help to write 18 in base 2. So A and B both won't work. The common logs and the natural logs will both work

Log(4^(x + 3)) = Log(18)

(x + 3) Log(4) = log (18)

(x + 3) * 0.6021 = 1.2553

x + 3 = 1.2553/0.6021

x + 3 = 2.08496

Now all you need do is subtract 3 from both sides. The natural logs will give you the same answer.

You could take base-4 logs of both sides and it is a possible first step, but d and e are much more efficient. You have to change both sides to base 4 before you can proceed. This one is kind of iffy.  It does say possible first steps.