Question

Which of the following expressions cannot be simplified?

A) 8x-5x
B) 8x-1
C -(8x+3)
D 8(x-2)

Answer 1

B. 8x - 1

Explanation:

Notice that all of these expressions can be simplified except for option B. 8x-1.

Option A has two like terms, 8x and -5x which could be reduced to 3x

Option B has two distinct terms, 8x and -1 which can only be combined into 8x-1

Option C has a leading negative, and can be simplified with the distributive property to be -8x + -3

Option D has a leading 8 that can be distributed to the term (x-2) to form 8x - 16.

Thus, choose option B.

Cheers.

Answer 2

B) 8x-1

Explanation:

A) 8x-5x Like terms = 3x

B) 8x-1 Not like terms 8x-1

C -(8x+3) Distribute the minus sign -8x -3

D 8(x-2) Distribute the 8 8x - 16