Question

Use the distributive property to simplify the expression below:
5t - 2(1 + t)

Answer 1

The number (-2) need to be multiplied with each value inside the brackets. Then simplify the value for t.

Answer 2

3t + 1

Answer 3

First, multiply the first two terms, I am going to change the variable to x if that's okay, just to make it easier. They both mean the same thing.

So, 5x multiplied by 1 will give you 5x.
Then, multiply your outside terms (-2)(x) will give you -2x
Then, multiply the inside terms (-2)(1) which will give you -2.
Finally, multiply 5x by x, which will give you \[5x ^{2}\].

Then, simplify the terms.