document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=677156>Question 677156</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I have to write the phrases in my book as an algebraic expression and simplify if possible.  The phrase I am having trouble with is \"half a number minus the product of the number and eight\". I think it means 0.5x-(x*8) which I think simplifies to 0.5x-x*-8= -0.5x*-8.  The multiplication in the problem is confusing me though because I am not sure if you actually can simplify the parentheses out with a multiplication problem the same way you do with addition when it is in parentheses. I want to make sure I am understanding this correctly before I risk running into a similar question on the test. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #420711 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ReadingBoosters><B>ReadingBoosters(3246)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ReadingBoosters><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=420711\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=%281%2F2%29x+-+8x%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"%281%2F2%29x+-+8x%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" > or as you have .5x-8x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "You could simplify as<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x(.5-8)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=highlight_green%28-7.5x%29 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"highlight_green%28-7.5x%29\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "...<BR>\n" );
document.write( "you would not, however, simplify<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x - 8x as .5x - x(-8)<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".5x - x(-8) would be .5x+8x<BR>\n" );
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