document.write( "Question 116299: Simplify:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "5(2a + b) - (a + 3b) \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #84568 by bucky(2189)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Given:
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\n" ); document.write( "5(2a + b) - (a + 3b)
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\n" ); document.write( "Do the distributed multiplication by multiplying 5 times each of the two terms in the first
\n" ); document.write( "set of parentheses. When you do you get:
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\n" ); document.write( "10a + 5b - (a + 3b)
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\n" ); document.write( "The second set of parentheses is preceded by a minus sign. Because of the minus sign if you
\n" ); document.write( "remove the parentheses you need to change the signs of the terms inside the parentheses.
\n" ); document.write( "When you remove these parentheses the expression becomes:
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\n" ); document.write( "10a + 5b - a - 3b
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\n" ); document.write( "Now, combine the like terms. 10a combines with -a to give 9a. And 5b - 3b combines to
\n" ); document.write( "give +2b. As a result, the entire expression is simplified to:
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\n" ); document.write( "9a + 2b
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\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps you to understand the problem ... and some techniques for simplifying
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