What is the next step in solving the equation 2x + 4 = 12 after subtracting 4 from both sides?

After subtracting 4 from both sides of the equation 2x + 4 = 12, the equation simplifies to 2x = 8. The next logical step to isolate the variable x is to divide both sides by 2.

This process is based on the principles of solving linear equations. When you have a term multiplied by a variable, in this case, 2 times x, dividing both sides by the coefficient (which is 2 here) allows you to solve for the variable itself. Thus, dividing 8 by 2 gives us x = 4.

By understanding how to manipulate the equation step by step, you can effectively isolate the variable and solve the equation correctly.