Answer:
The given expression simplified is <em>48x + 64.</em>
Step-by-step explanation:
Solving this problem entails of simplifying the expression provided. We'll use the distributive law, or the distributive property, to write the expression in the simplest form.
Distributive law states:
- a(b + c) ⟶ (a × b) + (a × c)
We know that...
Following the rules of distributive law, we can set up the expression to match this property.
a(b + c) ⟶ 4(12x + 16) ⟶ (4 × 12x) + (4 × 16)
The expression will now be easier to simplify. Here, the last step would be to multiply the terms within the parentheses. Remember that we <u>cannot</u> multiply a number by a variable. When you multiply '4' by '12x', just multiply twelve and four, and leave the variable as is.
(4 × 12x) + (4 × 16)
48x + (4 × 16)
48x + 64
Think back on what I mentioned earlier about not being able to multiply a number by a variable. The same rule applies to adding two terms, in which one is a constant and the other consists of a coefficient <u>and variable</u>. Our simplified expression has '48x', which is a coefficient and variable, and '64', which is a constant. This means we <u>cannot</u> add these two terms together.
Our expression seems to be in the simplest form because no further actions can be taken. The correct answer should be <em>48x + 64.</em>
