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Difficulty: EasySimplifying Algebraic Expressions

Determine the completely simplified form of the following expression:

3(2a+4)−5a3(2a + 4) - 5a

Answer: a + 12 / a+12 / 12 + a / 12+a / 1a + 12 / 1a+12

Answer

a + 12
Applying the distributive property to 3(2a+4)3(2a + 4) yields 6a+126a + 12. The expression becomes 6a+12−5a6a + 12 - 5a. Subtracting 5a5a from 6a6a leaves aa. The constant 1212 cannot be combined with aa, making the final simplified expression a+12a + 12.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Use the distributive property to multiply 3 by each term inside the parentheses.
6a+12−5a6a + 12 - 5a
Expanding the parentheses is the necessary first step to access the terms for combination.
2
Group and combine the like terms (6a6a and −5a-5a).
a+12a + 12
Subtracting 5a5a from 6a6a leaves 1a1a (or aa), while the constant 1212 remains unchanged.

Key Concept

Applying the distributive property and combining like terms.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions

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