Question

What is an expression that is equivalent to 2.5x + (-5y) - 2.5.

Answer 1

The expression 2.5x + (-5y) - 2.5 is already simplified and remains as 2.5x - 5y - 2.5.

Step-by-step explanation:

To simplify the expression 2.5x + (-5y) - 2.5, we can start by simplifying the subtraction of a negative number. By following the rules of arithmetic, when we subtract a negative number, it is equivalent to adding its positive counterpart. Thus, the expression can be rewritten without the parentheses, as subtraction of a negative is the same as addition. However, in this expression, there is no need for this step because there is no subtraction of a negative number. Therefore, our original expression remains as is: 2.5x - 5y - 2.5.

Answer 2

2.5(x + 2y - 1).

Step-by-step explanation:

2.5x + ( 5y) -2.5

2.5x + 5y - 2.5 (we can just remove the parentheses without changing the value of the expression)

Each coefficient is divisible by 2.5 so by the distributive law:

2.5x + 5y - 2.5

= 2.5(x + 2y - 1).