Question

I have several issue's I'm having with algebra, can anyone help me with simplifying some expressions?

Simplify the expression: (-4)(-x)

I think it's -4X but im not sure.

my parents have tried to help me with this but we're still having a rough time. is anyone willing to help?

Answer 1

-4 * -x = 4x
negative * negative = positive

Answer 2

negative times negative is positive, and 4 times x is 4x, so what do you think?

Answer 3

ah... ok. my mom helped me do this lol this is sad. alright, can you guys help me with a few more?

Answer 4

lets see what ya got

Answer 5

Simplify the expression: (-2)(-y)(y)

we came up with -2Y x Y

Answer 6

what's y*y?

Answer 7

but now you're elling me that would be a positive. but are the placement of the letters even correct? I don't even know

Answer 8

uhm... y? XD

Answer 9

(-2)(-y)(y) =
2y * y =
2y^2

Answer 10

y*y is y^2

Answer 11

so 2y^2? thank you

Answer 12

yeah!

Answer 13

yay! ok next one is

Simplify the expression: 7(x-5)

we came up with 7X-5

Answer 14

you know what the distributive property is?

Answer 15

7(x - 5) --- distribute through the parenthesis
all that means is multiply everything in the parenthesis by the number outside of the parenthesis, which is 7.
7(x - 5) = 7 * x - 7 * 5 = 7x - 35

Answer 16

hmm?

Answer 17

The distributive property lets you multiply the 7 across whatever is in the parentheses

you would apply the distributive property to this:
(7*x) + (7*-5)
so...
7x + -35

Answer 18

which is 7x - 35

Answer 19

you multiplied the 7 times x, but you did not multiply the 7 times 5. You have to multiply the 7 by EVERYTHING in the parenthesis

7(x - 5) =
7 * x = 7x
7 * -5 = -35
all together = 7x - 35

Answer 20

Thank you both so much! alright, next one

Simplify the expression: (3-x)(4)
we came up with -3x*4

but now you're telling me... so.. -3 times 4.. so...

Answer 21

that's so off.

Answer 22

alright... 12... 12-x?

Answer 23

that can be written as 4(3 - x)
multiply 4 by EVERYTHING in parenthesis
4 * 3 = 12
4 * -x = -4x
put them together : 12 - 4x or -4x + 12

Answer 24

4 times x too..

Answer 25

12 -x^4? XD

Answer 26

lol ok so... it's -4x plus 12... so -16x?

Answer 27

I'm sorry. I'm terrible with math and just the principles of all this too.

Answer 28

no...
4(3 - x) =
4 * 3 = 12
4 * -x = -4x
together = 12 - 4x or -4x + 12

Answer 29

hmmm... the 4 is multiplied by the x not put as a power... it would actually be -4x... so you would have -4x + 12... and you can't simplify any further

Answer 30

its ok :D

Answer 31

>.< thanks for being willing to help. I'm so stuck with all this.

here's the next one.. Ima try to figure these out too lol

Simplify the expression: 3(2-4x)

Answer 32

multiply 3 by EVERYTHING in parenthesis

Answer 33

so 3*2, and 3*-4x ?

Answer 34

yes

Answer 35

yep

Answer 36

so... simplifying farther...

Answer 37

what did you get when you multiplied ?

Answer 38

3*2 is 6 and 3*-4x is -12x...?

Answer 39

which equals 6 - 12x or -12x + 6

Answer 40

which one should i put in?

Answer 41

both are correct...

Answer 42

I would put 6 - 12x....just put them in the order you multiplied

Answer 43

alright, i am. thank you. but my school is touchy so just making sure >.<

next one is Simplify the expression: -(10-7x)

Answer 44

but it does not really matter because they are both correct

Answer 45

have you tried khan academy? there are lots of helpful videos...

Answer 46

so... 10-7 is 3, so -3x?

Answer 47

actually... you can't subtract it...

Answer 48

i have looked at kahn academy, but when i found this it's nice to have live help that explains it to me.... so thank you guys for helping me out with this. it's easier to have someone explain to me. I cant wait to be in my new online school where there will be a teacher and a tutor.

Answer 49

ok...when you have a sign without the number outside of the parenthesis, you can put a 1, if it makes it easier.
-(10 - 7x) can also be written as -1(10 - 7x)
now just multiply everything in the parenthesis by -1

Answer 50

ok

Answer 51

-1*10 is -10, and -1*-7x is -7x right? so it would be... -10 - (-7x) ?

Answer 52

not quite...-1 * 10 = -10 but -1 * -7x = 7x (negative * negative = positive)
giving us : -10 + 7x

Answer 53

it would be easier for you to learn these rules...
this only applies to multiplication/division ...
if the signs are alike (either both neg or pos), then the ending sign will be positive
if the signs are different, the ending result will be negative
DO NOT GET THESE RULES CONFUSED WITH ADDING/SUBTRACTING....there are different rules for those

Answer 54

ohhhh i see! well i was close..

Answer 55

yeah...

Answer 56

here's the enxt one.. Simplify the expression: 40x ÷ (1/8)

Answer 57

division....

Answer 58

ok... so what did you get?

Answer 59

whenever you divide by a fraction, you multiply by the reciprocal. do you know what the reciprocal is?

Answer 60

So, dividing by 1/8 becomes multiply by 8/1. Which is 8.
So here:
40x * 8
320x

Answer 61

reciprocal is the flip of the fraction: 1/8 becomes 8

Answer 62

@darkest_midnight you get it?

Answer 63

not really... 40x divided by the reciprocal of one which is 8, (i do understand reciprocals)

Answer 64

so 40 divided by 8 is 5,

Answer 65

1/8 reciprocal is 8
so after you reciprocal it... you multiply instead of divide...

Answer 66

true...when dividing fractions, " flip " what you are dividing by, then just multiply
Example :
2/3 divided by 1/4 = 2/3 * 4/1
8 divided by 1/5 = 8 * 5/1
3/7 divided by 2 = 3/7 * 1/2
just remember to " flip " what you are dividing by, not the other number

Answer 67

so 40 times 8 is 320

Answer 68

ok so multiplication is 320, now what do we do with that number?

Answer 69

its 320 times x, right? so what would that be?

Answer 70

so 320x

Answer 71

wow. thanks...

Answer 72

there's you answer darkest_midnight....320x

Answer 73

you're welcome :D

Answer 74

this one's really fun...

Simplify the expression: (c/3) ÷ (5/6)

Answer 75

ooooh... ok fun!

Answer 76

remember to " flip " what you are dividing by, then just multiply

Answer 77

so which do you think you reciprocate?

Answer 78

so 6*3 and c*5?

Answer 79

only flip the one you are dividing by...

Answer 80

(c/3) * (6/5)

Answer 81

you are dividing by 5/6 so reciprocate that then multiply

Answer 82

so (6*c)/(5*3)

Answer 83

which is....?

Answer 84

well that would be 6c/15?

Answer 85

yeah! and that simplifies to?

Answer 86

6/15 simplifies to?

Answer 87

1/4 x

Answer 88

1/4x?

Answer 89

you understand?

Answer 90

yeah

Answer 91

:D

Answer 92

not completely... im trying though ^-^

Answer 93

here... lets see if i can get this next one...
Simplify the expression: (8x+6)/2

Answer 94

yeah! you're one of very few askers who put effort into their work here :D

Answer 95

so first... this is distributive division...

Answer 96

which means that you divide EVERYTHING by 2... so

Answer 97

8x divided by 2 is 4...

Answer 98

6/2 is 3....