Question

SOLVE ASAP WITH EXPLANATION! Marty simplified the expression 2(x - 2) - 2(3) as 2x - 8. Is he correct? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

No wrong

This is because of distributive law

• a(b-b)=ab-ac

Lets see

`\\ \rm\hookrightarrow 2(x-2)-2(3)`

`\\ \rm\hookrightarrow 2x-4-8`

`\\ \rm\hookrightarrow 2x-12`

Answer 2

• Marty is incorrect.

Explanation:

Let's check his work by simplifying the given expression.

• 2(x - 2) - 2(3)
• => 2x - 4 - 6
• => 2x - 10

When I compare Marty's result and this result, they are un-equal. Hence, Marty is incorrect.

Marty's mistake

• Marty must've got the problem wrong because of not understanding the distributive property.
• He probably forgot to multiply -2 by 2. Instead, he only subtracted 2 when he should've subtracted 4 from 2x.