Algebraic problem solving1 of 3
Which expression is equivalent to 3(2x − 5) + 4x?
The answer
Answer: B. Use the distributive property first: 3(2x − 5) = 6x − 15. Then combine like terms, 6x + 4x = 10x, which leaves 10x − 15. Forgetting to multiply the −5 by 3 gives 10x − 5, and leaving out the 4x gives 6x − 15. Only terms with the same variable part can be combined.
Source: GED Math — Algebraic: simplifying expressions