Question

Simplify the following by removing the parentheses and combining like terms.. (pic in comments)
I have no idea why.. but the whole parentheses and combining the like terms always confuse me.. Can anyone explain how to do this?

Answer 1

Okay. Let's do this by parts.

Just look at - ( 2q + 4 ) @kaela_stanley

Answer 2

Think of - ( 2q + 4 ) as -1 times ( 2q + 4 ) or - 1( 2q + 4 ).

Answer 3

Which would be.. -6q? @Directrix

Answer 4

Just a second. I'm still with you but having computer trouble. Hold on and we'll get this done. Feel free to ask questions. I am trying to draw something that might help.

Answer 5

It's fine, lol.. I'm having computer issues too.. I had to refresh like ten times because it said i got disconnected and it was trying to reconnect. and alrighty.

Answer 6

See if you agree with this so far. It is just the first expression. We'll do them in parts and then put it all together at the end to help you undertand. So, click on the attachment and let me know if you understand or agree for just that part. Don't think about the whole problem now - just this part.

Answer 7

Note: -2q -4 are not like terms. They cannot be combined to anything simpler. It's like 2 dogs and 4 cats. No way to combine.

Note that -2q -4q = -6q AND -2 -4 = -6 but those are not the questions.

Answer 8

That would be one of the parts where I get all confused..when the signs flip and become their opposites.. I never know when you should switch the addition to subtraction.. most of the time those are the parts that I do get wrong each time I do it..

Answer 9

Think of subtraction as addition of negative numbers.

Question: Do you agree with the first part of the simplification?

Answer 10

But.. so far.. I do agree with it.. Because multiplying the -1 times the 2q and the 4 would come out to that?

Answer 11

Good. Think in steps. Don't let the entire problem overwhelm you. Look at parts.

Do you agree with this:

Answer 12

I agree with that one too.. & That's where it gets me the whole problem overwhelms me and i get confused about the whole thing.. lol

Answer 13

Okay. By the way, the computer issues have to do with the OpenStudy site.

Ready for the third part? The good news is that it is not a calculation to do but the solo term - 2q .

Answer 14

So, we are about the put the three parts together.

Answer 15

Ah.. okay. & Yep I'm ready for the third part. :p

Answer 16

By the way, I moved from Internet Explorer to Foxfire (just for OpenStudy) but could not find the refresh button and almost went crazy over that.

Answer 17

Here is the entire problem:

- (2q + 4) + 3(2q +4) - 2q

Answer 18

- (2q + 4) + 3(2q +4) - 2q =

(from our previous work)

- 2q - 8 + 6q + 12 - 2q =

The task now is to combine like terms.

Do you want to give it a go? Be brave. :)

@kaela_stanley

Answer 19

HInt: Only the terms ending in q can be combined. Ditto for the "regular" numbers without the q.

Answer 20

oh gosh.. Okay.. so combining -2q + 6q-2q that would equal 2q?

Answer 21

Correct.

Answer 22

Now, do - 8 + 12

Answer 23

That would equal 4.

Answer 24

Okay, so looking at the entire expression to be simplified:

- (2q + 4) + 3(2q +4) - 2q =

-2q -8 +6q + 12 - 2q =

-2q +6q - 2q -8 + 12 =

2q + 4 ---> Final Answer Do you agree? @kaela_stanley

Answer 25

I'm gonna go with yes? although I am a bit iffy on that one..

Answer 26

Well, looking back at the first section, you agreed with the -2q -8

Looking back on the second section, you agreed with the 6q + 12

The third section was just -2q.

The final result is the combining of like terms.

I think you may be a little "iffy" on adding and subtracting like terms.

Answer 27

Post your next problem in a new thread. We'll go through the steps again if you are game.