Algebra: removing similar terms [ x-(x*0.25)=3]
I was trying to solve this on my own but was having trouble isolating the x:

    x - (x * 0.25) = 3

On algebra.com, it was converted like so:

    x - (x * 0.25) = 3
    (1 - 0.25) * x = 3     [*** question 1]

And then continues to solve for zero: 

    (75 / 100) * x = 3
    75 * x / 100 = 3
    75 * x / 100 - 3 = 0   [*** question 2]
    .75 * x - 3 = 0
    0 = 0
    x = 4

[* question 1] how is this statement derived? This doesn't seem like distribution.

[* question 2] why solve for zero?

[* question 3] Is there a simpler way to combine like values and solve the equation?
Algebra: removing similar terms [ x-(x*0.25)=3]
===

I was trying to solve this on my own but was having trouble isolating the x:

    x - (x * 0.25) = 3

On algebra.com, it was converted like so:

    x - (x * 0.25) = 3
    (1 - 0.25) * x = 3     [*** question 1]

And then continues to solve for zero: 

    (75 / 100) * x = 3
    75 * x / 100 = 3
    75 * x / 100 - 3 = 0   [*** question 2]
    .75 * x - 3 = 0
    0 = 0
    x = 4

[* question 1] how is this statement derived? This doesn't seem like distribution.

[* question 2] why solve for zero?

[* question 3] Is there a simpler way to combine like values and solve the equation?