Question

Table show step by step how do you simplify the algebraic expression 3(x-5)+4x. Justify step 4​

Answer 1

Answer: Commutative Property (choice C)

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Explanation:

Here are all of the justifications for each step

• Step 1. None needed. This is the original expression
• Step 2. Distributive property
• Step 3. Multiply  (the 3 and 5 multiply to 15)
• Step 4. Commutative property. Specifically, this is the commutative property of addition which allows us to add any two numbers in any order we want. In this case, the  -15 and 4x terms swap places.
• Step 5. Associative property. The parenthesis group the first two terms away from the third term.
• Step 6. Combine like terms. Both 3x and 4x have an x only so they are like terms that combine to 7x. You can think of it as 3+4 = 7, then you just tack an x onto everything to get 3x+4x = 7x.