Question

What is the first step in simplifying the expression 11x-2-3(1-7x)^2+(x+1)?

Answer 1

Answer:

PEMDAS is a great way to figure this out!

P - Parenthesies

E - Exponents

M - Multiplcation

D - Division

A - Addition

S - Subtraction

Follow this order and you should be good to go! Here's how I would follow this in this equation.

11x-2-3(1-7x)^2+(x+1)

First, parentheses

The 3 directly next to the parenthesies shows that everything inside of the () needs to be multiplied by 3.

-3*1  and -3*-7x (don't forget the negative)

This gives us 11x-2+(-3+21x)^2+(x+1)

Now distribute the exponents to everything inside of the parentheses.

11x-2+-3^2+21x^2+(x+1)

now solve the numbers with exponents without a variable.

3^2 = 3*3 = 9

combine any numbers without a variable outside of parentheses

11x-2+9+21x^2+(x+1)

11x+7+21x^2+(x+1)

From here, what I would do is divide the whole equation by 2

5.5x+3.5+21x+(.5x+.5)

now combine x values outside of parentheses

3.5+26.5x+(.5x+.5)

I believe this would be the simplest form, but please do correct me if I'm wrong or made any errors