Simplifying and Factoring Expressions

The distributive property states that a(b + c) = ab + ac, meaning you can distribute a factor across a sum.

First, apply the distributive property: 3*9a + 3*2 + 5*2a - 5*4 = 27a + 6 + 10a - 20. Combine like terms to get 37a - 14.

Factoring an expression means rewriting it as a product of its factors, which can help simplify or solve equations.

-2(4x + 5) is the factored form of -8x - 10.

Distribute 4: -6x + 4*-x + 4*-3 = -6x - 4x - 12. Combine like terms to get -10x - 12.

A constant is a fixed value that does not change and is not multiplied by a variable.

4(3x - 5) is the factored form of 12x - 20.

Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power, allowing them to be combined.

To combine like terms, add or subtract the coefficients of the terms that have the same variable.

The first step is to apply the distributive property if there are parentheses in the expression.