"Do the problem" means find out what number 'x' must be
in order to make the equation a true statement.
You said 3 (4x - 2) = 12x + 1
Eliminate the parentheses on the left: 12x - 6 = 12x + 1
Subtract 12x from each side: - 6 = + 1
Here's where we stop. There is no value for 'x' that can make -6 = 1 .
The original equation has no solution.
