a) 12x + 8 - 2 = ?
b Factor out 4.
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!
3 answers
Is psydag right?
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).
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).
6 answers