An equation is shown below: 4(x − 3) − 5(x + 1) = 3 which statement shows a correct next step in solving the equation? the equation can become 4x − 3 − 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication. the equation can become 4x − 3 − 5x + 1 = 3 by applying the distributive property. the equation can become 4x − 12 − 5x − 5 = 3 by applying the distributive property. the equation can become 4x − 12 − 5x − 5 = 3 by applying the associative property of multiplication.