Question

Which of the following is equivalent to the expression m^2 + 1 - 6 + n^2 - 3x - 18?

a) 2x - 6
b) 2x + 2
c) x^2 + 4x + 7
d) x^2 - 2x - 6

Answer 1

After combining like terms in the expression m^2 + 1 - 6 + n^2 - 3x - 18, the simplified form is m^2 + n^2 - 3x - 23. This does not match any of the provided options, so none of the options are equivalent to the given expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find an equivalent expression for m^2 + 1 - 6 + n^2 - 3x - 18, we need to simplify it by combining like terms. Since there are no like terms for m^2 and n^2, and -3x is the only term with an x, we combine the constant terms 1, -6, and -18.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Combine the constant terms: 1 - 6 - 18 = -23.
2. The given expression now becomes m^2 + n^2 - 3x - 23.
3. Since there are no other like terms to combine, this is the simplified form of the expression, which doesn't match any of the provided options (a), (b), (c), or (d).