Question

which expression below is equivalent to 9 - 3(2-5x)
A. 3 - 15x
B. 12 -30x
C. 3 + 15x
D. 3 + 5x

Answer 1

9 - 3(2 - 5x)
distribute through the parenthesis
9 - 6 + 15x
combine like terms
3 + 15x

Answer 2

any questions ?

Answer 3

I thought it was B

Answer 4

are you having trouble distributing through the parenthesis ?

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

you have to multiply the number before the parenthesis with everything in the parenthesis...but be careful with the signs.
9 - 3(2 - 5x)
9 - 3*2 + (-3)(-5x)
9 - 6 + 15x --- 15x becomes positive because a negative times a negative is a positive

Answer 7

I thought it was B because I did 9 - 3 first because 2 and 5x aren't like terms and 9 - 3 is 6 so 6 * 2 and that's 12 so 6 * 5x is 30x and it equals 12 - 30x

Answer 8

oh...I see.....you have to do the parenthesis first....that is, you have to distribute through the parenthesis first, just to get rid of the parenthesis. You will get better at this the more you practice.

Answer 9

thanks for your help

Answer 10

your very welcome :)