After you expand, get all the $y$ terms on one side of the equation and the constant numbers on the other side.

Once you have a simple equation like $y - 12 = 6$, think about which operation is being done to $y$ and do the opposite operation to isolate $y$.

In Desmos, type f(x) = 3(2x - 4) on one line and g(x) = 5x + 6 on another line. These represent the left and right sides of the equation, with $x$ standing in for $y$.

Look at the graph of $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ and tap or click the point where the two lines intersect. The $x$-coordinate of this intersection is the solution to the equation.

Compare the $x$-value of the intersection point shown by Desmos with the answer choices A–D, and select the matching value.

Start with the equation $3(2y - 4) = 5y + 6$. Distribute the 3 to both terms inside the parentheses:

• $3 \cdot 2y = 6y$
• $3 \cdot (-4) = -12$ So the equation becomes $6y - 12 = 5y + 6$.

To collect the variable terms on one side, subtract $5y$ from both sides of $6y - 12 = 5y + 6$. This gives $6y - 5y - 12 = 6$, so the equation simplifies to $y - 12 = 6$.

Now solve $y - 12 = 6$. Undo the subtraction by adding 12 to both sides: $y - 12 + 12 = 6 + 12$ to isolate $y$.

You found that $y = 18$. Looking at the options, 18 corresponds to choice D, so D is correct.