1. **State the problem:** Solve the equation $3(x - 2) = 12$ for $x$. 2. **Use the distributive property:** Multiply 3 by each term inside the parentheses. $$3(x - 2) = 3 \times x - 3 \times 2 = 3x - 6$$ So the equation becomes: $$3x - 6 = 12$$ 3. **Isolate the variable term:** Add 6 to both sides to cancel out $-6$. $$3x - 6 + 6 = 12 + 6$$ $$3x = 18$$ 4. **Solve for $x$:** Divide both sides by 3. $$\frac{\cancel{3}x}{\cancel{3}} = \frac{18}{3}$$ $$x = 6$$ 5. **Final answer:** $x = 6$