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14 votes
Use the distributive property and then simplify the expression.

3(x-8)+6(x+4)

2 Answers

10 votes
Hello!

Answer: 9x

Explanation: Distributive property basically multiplies the numbers inside the parentheses by the number outside of them.

So, in this case, to simplify both parts of the equation, you’d have to multiply “x” and “8”by 3, and the other “x” and “4” would be multiplied by 6.

3 times “x” would be 3x, and 3 times “-8” would be -24. So the first part simplified would be: -24+3x.

Now for the second part, 6(x+4). We’d multiply “x” and “4” by 6. This would get us 6x and 24.

Now to simplify. We currently have the expression “(-24+3x)+(6x+24)”.
As -24 and 24 cancel each other out, the only things we would have left to simplify would be 3x+6x.
3x+6x is equal to 9x.

So there’s how you’d get your answer of 9x!

Hopefully this was explained easy enough for you! If not, please comment!

I hope this helps you! :)


User Merrymenvn
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6.4k points
12 votes
9x-12 is the answer I believe
User Fred Thomas
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6.6k points