Answer:
$(80.5x + 69)
Explanation:
Recall, distributive property of multiplication can simply be expressed as follows, x(y + z) = xy + xz or x(y - z). Where x, y, and z could be any number.
Now, let's use the distributive property to show the total costs of plants Gloria decides to buy as an expression and also simplify it.
Thus, Gloria buys:
4 ferns = 4(0.5x - 3) = 4(0.5x) - 4(3) = $(2x - 12)
2 palms = 2(10x - 2.50) = 2(10x) - 2(2.50) = $(20x - 5.00)
10 lilies = 10(5 + 0.25x) = 10(5) + 10(0.25x) = $(50 + 2.5x)
8 shrubs = 8(4.50 + 7x) = 8(4.50) + 8(7x) = $(36 + 56x)
Total cost of the plants = (2x - 12) + (20x - 5) + (50 + 2.5x) + (36+ 56x)
Open the parentheses and then simplify:
Total cost = 2x - 12 + 20x - 5 + 50 + 2.5x + 36 + 56x
= 2x + 20x + 2.5x + 56x - 12 - 5 + 50 + 36
Total cost = $(80.5x + 69)