Question

a) Simplify the expression and explain each step.
4(3x + 2) - 2

b) Factor the expression completely.
20b - 16

I'm not asking for answers. I just want help figuring out what the letters in the equation mean. Thanks!

Answer 1

a) 12x + 8 - 2 = ?

b Factor out 4.

Answer 2

Is psydag right?

Answer 3

12x+(8-2) = 12x+6

For the second question, we first find the GCF. To do this, find the prime factorization of 20 and 16:

20 = 4*5

4 = 2*2

20 = 2*2*5

16 = 4*4

4 = 2*2

16 = 2*2*2*2

For the GCF, we take the common factors; these are 2*2 = 4. This makes 4 the GCF.

Factoring 4 out of 20b, we have 5b; factoring 4 out of -16 gives us -4. This gives us 4(5b-4).