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Exercises Numbers, fractions and percents

Example 1.138 from Elementary Algebra, 1.9 Properties of Real Numbers

Properties of Real Numbers: example 1.138

Simplify: $8 - 2 (x + 3) .$

Be sure to follow the order of operations. Multiplication comes before subtraction, so we will distribute the 2 first and then subtract.

Work it out on paper first. Then open the solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish on your own.

Solution

$8 - 2 (x + 3)$

Distribute. $8 - 2 \cdot x - 2 \cdot 3$

Multiply. $8 - 2 x - 6$

Combine like terms. $−2 x + 2$

Table 1.55

Your turn

The book's Try It right after this example: same idea, new numbers. Only the answer is given.

Simplify: $9 - 3 (x + 2) .$

How did it go?

PreviousProperties of Real Numbers: example 1.128 Next Systems of Measurement: example 1.140

From Elementary Algebra (1st edition) by OpenStax (Rice University), section 1.9, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Original at openstax.org. We split the solution into steps; the words, numbers and figures are the book's. OpenStax doesn't endorse this site.