Question

I'm having trouble understanding Simplifying variable expressions could you explain to mean what I do?

Answer 1

`-2.5+4(3.2+0.5n)-7.1+0.8n`

To simplify the above expression, here are the steps:

1. We eliminate the parenthesis by distributing the number outside of it which is 4 to the numbers inside it. By distributing, it means multiplying 4 to the numbers inside the parenthesis. This is what we call as Distributive Property.

`\begin{gathered} (4*3.2)+(4*0.5n) \\ 12.8+2n \end{gathered}`

After distributing 4, the expression becomes:

`-2.5+12.8+2n-7.1+0.8n`

2. Rearrange the numbers or terms according to its type. For example, only numbers and then, numbers with variables. This is what we call as Commutative Property because rearranging the numbers does not affect the final answer. It's like 3 + 5 is just similar to 5 + 3 which are both equal to 8.

`-2.5+12.8-7.1+2n+0.8n`

3. Combine similar or like terms by adding/subtracting depending on the sign.

`-2.5+12.8-7.1=3.2`
`2n+0.8n=2.8n`

Hence, the simplified version of the expression is:

`3.2+2.8n`