Question

Tyler solved the following expression:

​ 3 (2 - 2x) - 4x
​Step 1: (3)(2) - (3)(2x) - 4x
​Step 2: 6 - 6 - 4x
​Step 3: -4x
​However Tyler did not have the correct answer. Find Tyler's mistake.
A
He multiplied incorrectly in Step 2.
B
In Step 2, he forgot bring down the x when he multiplied 3 and 2x.
C
He added 6 - 6 incorrectly in Step 3.
D
In Step 1, he forgot to multiply the 3 by the 4x.

Answer 1

Tyler's mistake was in Step 2 where he did not correctly apply the distributive property and subtraction of like terms. He should have written down '6 - 6x - 4x' which simplifies to '6 - 10x' as the final answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's examine Tyler's calculation: 3 (2 - 2x) - 4x. Tyler's steps are as follows:

Step 1: (3)(2) - (3)(2x) - 4x

Step 2: 6 - 6x - 4x

Step 3: 6 - 10x

Tyler's mistake occurred in Step 2 where he incorrectly subtracted the 6x from the 6 instead of writing down 6 - 6x which would then be combined with -4x to get 6 - 10x as the final answer.

Therefore, the correct step-by-step explanation is:

First, apply the distributive property to 3(2 - 2x): 3 * 2 is 6, and 3 * -2x is -6x.

Next, bring down the -4x term: 6 - 6x - 4x.

Finally, combine like terms: 6 - 6x - 4x = 6 - 10x.