Question

Explain if the expression below should be simplified using distributive property first or combining like terms first. Include your explanation of why you think so.

-2(3m - 2) - 5 + 4m

Answer 1

You will want to distribute first

Explanation:

-2(3m - 2) -5 + 4m Distribute

-6m + 4 -5 + 4m Combine like terms

-6m + 4m + 4 - 5

-2m -1

If you combined the 4m and 3m before distributing, you would get 7m. But is is not 3m. It is -2 x 3m which is -6m which will be combined to 4 m.

It is not -2 - 5 which is -7. It is -2(-2) -5 which is 4 -5 which is -1