Question

What is the first step to simplify the expression 5x – x(2 – 3x) + 2?

Answer 1

"distribute
`-x` to the terms inside the parentheses"

Explanation:

• The first step in any expression like this is going to be simplifying inside the parenthesis.
• Next would be to square/cube any parenthesis.
• Then, we can distribute.
• Then combine like terms.

Looking at this specific problem, we see that the terms inside parenthesis are ALREADY SIMPLIFIED, so disregard this step.

There aren't any square/cube to EXPAND, so disregard this step as well.

There IS DISTRIBUTION in this problem. Distributing -x with the term inside the parenthesis, (2-3x). Hence, distribution should be the FIRST STEP of this problem.

Fourth answer choice is right.