Greetings!
We can translate this into an equation:
[tex]3(x-4)=-9[/tex]
Solve for x:
Distribute the Parenthesis.
[tex]3x-12=-9[/tex]
Add 12 to both sides.
[tex](3x-12)+12=(-9)+12[/tex]
[tex]3x=3[/tex]
Divide both sides by 3.
[tex](3x)/3=(3)/3[/tex]
The Answer Is:
[tex]x=1[/tex]
Hope this helps.
-Benjamin