Let’s Simplify That Math Expression Together!

Let’s Simplify That Math Expression Together!

You ever look at a math expression and think, "What the heck do I do with that?" Yeah, we’ve all been there! But fear not; we’re going to tackle one tough little cookie together: 3(2x + 4) - 2(x - 5). Sounds daunting, right? But with the right steps (and maybe a slice of pizza on the side), it's a piece of cake!

What’s the Plan?

First things first, we gotta use the distributive property. You know, that handy tool that allows us to multiply a single term to two or more terms inside a set of parentheses. It’s like sharing the pizza equally among friends – everyone gets their fair slice!

So here’s the breakdown:

1. Distribute the 3 in the first part:

   • Multiply 3 by each term inside the parentheses:
     • 3 * 2x = 6x
     • 3 * 4 = 12
   • So, you’ve got: 6x + 12.

2. Now, let’s tackle the second part. Distribute -2:

   • Multiply -2 by each term in the parentheses:
     • -2 * x = -2x
     • -2 * -5 = +10
   • This gives: -2x + 10.

3. Combine everything together:

   • We put it all together now: 6x + 12 - 2x + 10.

Combine Like Terms

Here’s where the magic happens! Let’s simplify everything step-by-step:

• First, we’ll deal with the 6x and -2x:

  6x - 2x = 4x

• Then the constants 12 and 10:

  12 + 10 = 22.

Now we combine those results, and we’re looking at 4x + 22! Voila, the simplified form is spot on!

Hold Up – Did We Mess Up?

Now, you might be scratching your head, thinking, "Wait, the answer is supposed to be 6x + 22 or what?" Actually, it seems we had a minor slip with our verification! The correct simplification leads quite confidently to 4x + 22 rather than 6x + 22.

Here's the thing: this kind of confusion can often come from miscalculating the distributive steps or adding the constants incorrectly at the end. Math is funny like that! Sometimes, it knows how to trip us up.

Final Thoughts

Simplifying expressions can feel a bit like a roller coaster at times—some thrilling ups and downs. But practicing this strategy will help you become a pro in no time! Remember, it’s all about breaking it down into manageable chunks and taking it step by step.

So next time you face something that looks complicated, think of it as just a puzzle waiting to be solved. Now go ahead and impress your friends at the next math meet-up! You’ve got this!