Question

Use the Associative Property to simplify the expression 3x+(x+2)
3
𝑥
+
(
𝑥
+
2
)
to its simplest equivalent form.

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 3x + (x + 2) \) using the Associative Property, we start by recognizing that the Associative Property allows us to group numbers in different ways when adding.

1. **Rewrite the expression:**
\[
3x + (x + 2)
\]

2. **Apply the Associative Property:**
You can group \( 3x \) and \( x \) together. This gives us:
\[
(3x + x) + 2
\]

3. **Combine like terms:**
Now, combine \( 3x \) and \( x \):
\[
3x + x = 4x
\]
So, the expression becomes:
\[
4x + 2
\]

4. **Final Expression:**
The simplest equivalent form of the expression \( 3x + (x + 2) \) is:
\[
4x + 2
\]

This is the simplified equivalent expression.