Question

The expression (3x2 + 5x – 12) – 2(x2 + 4x +9) is equivalent to which of the following:

A. x2 – 3x – 30
B. x2 + 13x + 6
C. 5x2 + x – 18
D. x2 + 3x – 21

Show Your Work

Answer 1

A. x² -3x -30

Explanation:

Using the distributive property to eliminate parentheses, we get ...

3x² +5x -12 -2x² -8x -18

Then, collecting terms gives ...

= (3-2)x² +(5-8)x +(-12-18)

= x² -3x -30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . matches selection A