Question

What value of b will make the expressions −7.2x+b and −2.4(3x−2.2)+3.6 equivalent?

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Answer 1

b = 8.88

Explanation:

Simplify the second expression and compare the result to the first.

−2.4(3x−2.2)+3.6 = -7.2x +5.28 +3.6 . . . . . eliminate parentheses

= -7.2x +8.88 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . collect terms

To make this identical to -7.2x +b, we must have b = 8.88.