An equation is shown below:
4(x − 3) − 5(x + 1) = 3
which statement shows a correct next step in solving the equation?
the equation can become 4x − 3 − 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication.
the equation can become 4x − 3 − 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the distributive property.
the equation can become 4x − 12 − 5x − 5 = 3 by applying the distributive property.
the equation can become 4x − 12 − 5x − 5 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication

Option C is correct.

The equation can become by applying distributive property.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given an equation:  

Distributive property states that when a number is multiplied by the sum of two numbers, then the first number can be distributed to both of those numbers and multiplied by each of them separately i.e,,

Apply distributive to the given equation we get;

Simplify:

Therefore, the statement which shows a correct next step in solving the equation is,  the equation can become by applying distributive property.