Question

Explain, in complete sentences, how to use the distributive property to simplify the expression below.

3(4 + x)

Answer 1

take the outer number 3 and multiply it by EVERY number or term inside

so....

3 times 4 = 12

3 times x = 3x

Answer 2

now add these products:

12 + 3x

Answer 3

this means

3(4 + x)

turns into

12 + 3x

Answer 4

gee thx can u help me with more

Answer 5

sure

Answer 6

thx wait a min

Answer 7

ok

Answer 8

this is a fraction -2x - 8/ -2

Answer 9

so it's \[\Large \frac{-2x-8}{-2}\] right?

Answer 10

yup

Answer 11

ok so you use the distributive property...but in reverse

Answer 12

ok so is it x + 4

Answer 13

think of -2x - 8

how can you factor that?

Answer 14

it is x+4, but it helps to know why it's x+4

Answer 15

im lost, do you multiply it

Answer 16

at firts i got x- 8

Answer 17

so sorry, i lost connection

Answer 18

-2x - 8 factors to -2(x+4)

the -2 terms cancel, so that's why the answer is x+4

Answer 19

do you see how to get this?

Answer 20

thxs @jim_thompson5910 i need more help :)

Use the distributive property to simplify the expression below:
5t − 7(3 + t)

Answer 21

first distribute − 7(3 + t)

Answer 22

so

-7 times 3 = -21

-7 times t = -7t

Answer 23

which means

5t − 7(3 + t)

turns into

5t − 21 - 7t

Answer 24

what's next?

Answer 25

dont u have to do add 5t and 71 since they are both like terms or

Answer 26

you mean 5t and -7t right?

Answer 27

or do you subtract it

Answer 28

yup

Answer 29

yes

5t - 7t = ???

Answer 30

-2t

Answer 31

so is the answer -2t - 21

Answer 32

good

Answer 33

yup i get one more help plz

Answer 34

ok

Answer 35

3x-21/ 3

Answer 36

its fraction

Answer 37

ok use distribution in reverse to go from

3x - 21

to

3(x-7)

Answer 38

notice how if you distribute again, you'll get 3x - 21 back

Answer 39

oh at first i got x -21

Answer 40

or is it 3x - 7

Answer 41

no it's neither of those

Answer 42

the 3s will cancel leaving you with x-7

Answer 43

ohhhhh, i get it you cancel out all the 3 then the 7 takes the negative sign oof 21

Answer 44

exactly

Answer 45

one more its pretty easy, i know the algebretic terms, but this is confusing

The difference of 3 times 4 and 2

Answer 46

what does it equal

Answer 47

difference means subtraction, so

The difference of 3 times 4 and 2

means

3*4 - 2

Answer 48

lol, i got 10 at first, im this type of paranoid person that i have to get everything right in my homework, so i get it corrected in openstudy, im in 4th grade advanced class ge thx for all ur help

Answer 49

well 3*4 = 12

so

3*4 - 2

is the same as

12 - 2

Answer 50

and that's 10

Answer 51

so if you wanted to simplify as much as possible, then it would be 10

Answer 52

yup thx, i would really give u more medals if i can

Answer 53

its fine, glad to be of help