Final answer:
To express the total cost of the same number of brushes, rollers, and paint cans, use the formula T = n(b + r + p), where 'T' is the total cost, 'n' is the number of each item, 'b' is the cost of a brush, 'r' is the cost of a roller, and 'p' is the cost of a paint can.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you buy the same number of brushes, rollers, and paint cans for painting supplies, you can write an expression in the simplest form to represent the total amount of money spent. Let's use variables to denote the cost of individual items: b for the cost of one brush, r for the cost of one roller, and p for the cost of one paint can. If you buy n of each item, the total cost T can be represented by the following algebraic expression:
T = n(b + r + p)
This expression multiplies the number of items n you're buying by the sum of the cost of one brush, one roller, and one paint can. By doing this, you are adding the cost of each individual item and then multiplying by the number you are buying, which gives you the total cost for all the painting supplies.