Question

Which of the following expressions are equivalent?

1. 5(a + 3)

2. 5a + 15

3. 3(2a + 5)

Answer 1

1 and 2 are equivalent

For 1 , use distributive property. Distribute 5 to a and 3. 5 x a = 5a, and 5 x 3 = 15. Therefore, 5a + 15. This is why 1 is equivalent to number 2.