Question 1 Which expression is equivalent to 2x+3y+4x?
Here we have three numbers being multiplied by a variable.
We can simplify the expression here...but how is it done?
Well, the variable works sort of like a unit here...say we had
2 apples + 3 oranges + 4 apples.
We would then simplify to
6 apples + 3 oranges.
Variables are combined in the same way...you can only do it if you have the same variables. This is called combining like terms.
[tex]\mathsf{2x+3y+4x=\boxed{\mathsf{6x+3y}}}[/tex]
Question 2 Which expression is equivalent to 4(2x-3)?
Here, we use what is called the distributive property.
Say we had 4 baskets, each with 2 apples and 3 oranges.
We can conclude that there are 4×2 apples and 4×3 oranges.
You multiply to both terms inside the parentheses!
[tex]\mathsf{4(2x-3)}=\mathsf{4(2x)+4(-3)}=\boxed{\mathsf{8x-12}}[/tex]
