Question

Simplify: -5(2x -4). I think it's -10 but?....

Thanks :)

Answer 1

unless you are told x has some value, you can't "simplify"
you can re-write it, using the "distributive property"
in other words, -5 times each term inside the parens

that gives you the same expression, but written differently.

Answer 2

Is it multiple choice or extended response?

Answer 3

Extended response D:

Answer 4

Okay. Well as @phi stated, without knowing what the "x-value" is, you cannot actually solve the problem. You can however "simplify" it, or break it down. So here's your original equation:

Step 1:
We know that you must distribute each term, hence the "-5" outside of the parenthesis.
-5(2x -4)

Step 2:
Multiply -5 by 2x, as 2x is the first term in the parenthesis.
This equals -10x

Step 3:
Multiply -5 by -4, as -4 is the second and final term inside the parenthesis.
This equals 20 (negative times a negative is a positive).

So for the answer, you have -10x+20. You cannot solve it, as there's no x value, but it is now in simplest form.

Do you understand?

Answer 5

Thanks :)