Question

Difficulty: EasySimplifying Expressions and Combining Like Terms

When the expression $5(2x - 3y) - 3(x - 4y)$ is simplified, what is the coefficient of $y$ ?

Answer: -3

The coefficient of

y

-3

Distributing

5

(2x - 3y)

yields

10x - 15y

. Distributing

-3

(x - 4y)

yields

-3x + 12y

. Combining the

y

terms gives

-15y + 12y = -3y

. Therefore, the coefficient of

y

-3

Distribute the coefficients outside the parentheses.

10x - 15y - 3x + 12y

To eliminate the parentheses so that like terms can be combined.

Group and combine the terms containing

y

-15y + 12y = -3y

To determine the final simplified term containing

y

and identify its coefficient.

Distributing terms (especially negative coefficients) and combining like terms.

Estimated Time:45s

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