Question

Caden states that n^2 +3n + 2n is an equivalent expression to 6n. Why is Caden's statement incorrect?

Answer 1

$\begin{gathered} \text{The simplification of n}^2+3n+2n\text{ is:} \\ i)n^2+5n \\ By\text{ collecting common term, this can be written in form of:} \\ ii)\text{ n(n+5)} \end{gathered}$

Thus, options A and D hold, from the simplifications above.

Let's consider the validity of the remaining options provided.

$\begin{gathered} \text{For option B)} \\ \text{substitute for n=1 into the expression n}^2+3n+2n,\text{ we have} \\ 1^2+3(1)+2(1)=1+3+2=6 \\ \text{substitute for n=1 into the expression 6n, we have} \\ 6(1)=6 \\ \text{Thus, the expression n}^2+3n+2n\text{ is equivalent to 6n, for n=1} \end{gathered}$$\begin{gathered} \text{For option C)} \\ \text{The expression n}^2+3n+2n\text{ does not simplify to 7n} \end{gathered}$$\begin{gathered} \text{For option E)} \\ \text{substitute for n=4 into the expression n}^2+3n+2n,\text{ we have:} \\ 4^2+3(4)+2(4)=16+12+8=36 \\ \text{substitute for n=6 into the expression 6n, we have:} \\ 6(4)=24 \\ \text{Thus, the two(2) expressions are not equivalent to each other, for n=4} \end{gathered}$$\begin{gathered} \text{For option F)} \\ \text{substitute for n=3 into the expression n}^2+3n+2n,\text{ we have:} \\ 3^2+3(3)+2(3)=9+9+6=24 \\ \text{substitute for n=3 into the expression 6n, we have:} \\ 6(3)=18 \\ \text{Thus, the two(2) expressions are not equivalent to each other, for n=3} \end{gathered}$

Hence, the correct options that apply are options A, D, E and F