Joy is training for a triathlon. She runs a distance of 2x miles, cycles a distance of (x2 + 7) miles, and swims a distance of (x - 2) miles. Which simplified expression is equivalent to the total distance, in miles, Joy covers?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Add them all together.
$$2x + x^{2} + 7 + x - 2$$

anonymous · Answer

okay so add them all together..then I get my answer?

anonymous · Answer

Yeah. Leave the x^2 alone. Add 2x and x together as well as 7 and -2 since they are like terms.

anonymous · Answer

Okay now I have 3x+x^2+5

anonymous · Answer

now what?

anonymous · Answer

Yup. That's your answer. You can also move the terms around. It can also be x^2 + 3x + 5

anonymous · Answer

oh that's my answer...cool :) thank you!

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome :)