Question

which expression is equivalent to -9(3y + 5) - 3y

Answer 1

There are many expressions that are equivalent to the given expression. Nevertheless, we can find a fully simplified equivalent expression by using the properties of real numbers.

Starting with the given expression:

$-9(3y+5)-3y$

Use the distributive property to expand the parenthesis:

$\begin{gathered} -9(3y+5)-3y=-9(3y)-9(5)-3y \\ =-27y-45-3y \end{gathered}$

Then, combine like terms -27y and -3y by adding their coefficients:

$-27y-45-3y=-30y-45$

Therefore, the given expression is equivalent to:

$-30y-45$