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

Answer 1

To simplify the expression \( 3x + (x + 2) \) using the Associative Property, we will group the terms appropriately and rearrange them.

1. Start with the expression: \[ 3x + (x + 2) \]

2. According to the Associative Property, we can regroup the terms. Here, we can rewrite it as: \[ (3x + x) + 2 \]

3. Now, simplify \( 3x + x \): \[ 3x + x = 4x \]

4. Substitute this back into the expression: \[ (3x + x) + 2 = 4x + 2 \]

Thus, the simplified equivalent form of the expression \( 3x + (x + 2) \) is: \[ \boxed{4x + 2} \]