The discussion revolves around simplifying an algebraic expression involving multiple variables, specifically the expression (3n+2)(3m+2)(3p+2). Participants are checking their work and exploring different methods of simplification.
Multiple participants have shared their results and approaches, noting discrepancies in their simplifications. There is a recognition that the problem may not yield a particularly tidy result, and various forms of the expression have been presented without reaching a consensus.
Some participants mention the complexity of the problem and the challenge of achieving a simplified form that feels satisfactory. There is an indication of differing interpretations of the simplification process.
Jeff Ford said:Not what I got. Try multiplying the first two terms, then multiplying the result by the third term. There is something missing in the middle.
Jeff Ford said:It's not a particularly tidy problem. I got the same answer you did, but wrote it like this
27mnp + 18(mn+mp+np) + 12(m+n+m) + 8
That's about as pretty as it gets.