Final answer:
The expressions equivalent to — 3x – 9 are found by using the distributive property. Option A, -3(x+3), and Option C, 3(-x - 3), are equivalent to the original expression when distributed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The expressions equivalent to — 3x – 9 can be identified by applying the distributive property. By factoring out the common factor, we can find which expressions are equivalent:
- A. -3(x+3) is equivalent because when you distribute -3, you get — 3x – 9.
- B. 3(x+3) is not equivalent because distributing 3 gives 3x + 9.
- C. 3(-x - 3) is equivalent because distributing 3 with each term inside the parentheses gives — 3x – 9, which is the original expression.
- D. -3(x-3) is not equivalent; distributing -3 gives — 3x + 9.
- E. 3(x-3) is not equivalent; distributing 3 gives 3x - 9, which has the opposite sign for the x term.
Therefore, the correct answers are A and C.