If a+b=5 and x+y=3,

what is −2x−5a−5b−2y?

Question

If a+b=5 and x+y=3,

what is −2x−5a−5b−2y?

loser66 · Answer

what do you think?

phi · Answer

**−2x−5a−5b−2y?***

try writing it like this:
-2x + -2y  + -5a + -5b 

now "factor out"  -2 from the first two terms
also, factor out -5 from the other two terms

what do you get ?

phi · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

$$-2y+-5b$$
?

anonymous · Answer

-31

phi · Answer

when you factor, the x (and a) do not disappear

Here is an example:
2(3+4)  means 2*3 + 2*4  (you can check:  2*(3+4) is 2*7= 14,  and this matches  2*3=6 
added to 2*4= 8:  6+8= 14.)

anyway:   if you see 2*3 + 2*4  you can "undo the distribute" by factoring out the 2
you get  2*(3+4)

if you have letters it works the same way
example:  -2a + -2b
you have -2 in both terms. factor it out: -2(a+b)