Generate an expression equivalent to: 5 + 6b + 12c + 10b - 4c - 2. In the simplest form of the equivalent expression,what is the coefficient of variable b?

1 answer

To simplify the expression \( 5 + 6b + 12c + 10b - 4c - 2 \), we start by combining like terms.

  1. Combine the constant terms: \[ 5 - 2 = 3 \]

  2. Combine the terms with variable \( b \): \[ 6b + 10b = 16b \]

  3. Combine the terms with variable \( c \): \[ 12c - 4c = 8c \]

Now, we can rewrite the expression with the simplified terms: \[ 3 + 16b + 8c \]

In this simplest form of the expression, the coefficient of variable \( b \) is \( 16 \).