Question

how do i find the product of -3(x+6) ?

Answer 1

same as any other multiplication, but lets take a simpler example:

3(8) = 24 right?

Answer 2

yes..

Answer 3

You distribute the -3 which means you multiply the -3 times each term in the parentheses.
-3 * x = -3x and -3 * 6 = -18 so the answer is
-3x - 18

Answer 4

then:

3(6+2) should equal 24 right?

Answer 5

right...

Answer 6

good, then lets "distribute" the 3 into the (6+2) and see if it works

3(6) + 3(2) = 24

18 + 6 = 24

24 = 24

Does that make sense to you?

Answer 7

o simple...yes it does...thanks !

Answer 8

youre welcome... now just do that to your original problem and you get your answer :)

Answer 9

-3(x+6)

-3(x) + -3(6)

-3x + -18

-3x - 18

Answer 10

then do i divide -3x by -3 abd -18/-3 ?

Answer 11

if you want to "factor" the -3 back out again, then yes.... divide at all by -3

Answer 12

wait; your not trying to solve for x in this equation

Answer 13

simply put, it aint an equation...there is no (=) sign to equate anything to..

Answer 14

-3(x+6) is just an empty term waiting for something...

-3(x+6) = 9 is something that we can figure out because it gives us the ability to "equate" one side with another

Answer 15

make sense?

Answer 16

ya that does...Thank you so much!