Sure! Let's isolate the variable [tex]\( x \)[/tex] in the equation:
[tex]\[ x + 9 = -12 \][/tex]
To isolate [tex]\( x \)[/tex], we want to get rid of the 9 that is added to it. We can do this by subtracting 9 from both sides of the equation. Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Start with the original equation:
[tex]\[ x + 9 = -12 \][/tex]
2. Subtract 9 from both sides of the equation to cancel out the +9 on the left side:
[tex]\[ x + 9 - 9 = -12 - 9 \][/tex]
3. Simplify both sides of the equation:
[tex]\[ x = -21 \][/tex]
So, the correct step to isolate the variable [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is to subtract 9 from both sides of the equation.
