Question

Write each expression using fewer terms. Show your work and/or explain your reasoning.
b) $3(2-x)+5(2-x)-9(2-x)$

Answer 1

Upon distribution, we will multiply each number outside the parentheses by the values inside the parentheses:

3(2 - x) becomes 6 - 3x, or -3x + 6

5(2 - x) becomes 10 - 5x, or -5x + 10

-9(2 - x) becomes -18 + 9x, or 9x - 18

Therefore, our final expression becomes:

-3x + 6 - 5x + 10 + 9x - 18, OR: x - 2

Answer 2

b) 3(2-x) + 5(2-x) - 9(2-x)
= (3+5-9)(2-x)
= - (2-x)
= x - 2