MHB What Are the Steps to Simplify Algebraic Expressions?

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To simplify the expression -2x[5x-(2x-7)]+6x[3x-(1+2x)], first simplify the inner components: 5x - (2x - 7) becomes 3x + 7, leading to -2x(3x + 7) = -6x^2 - 14x. Next, simplify 3x - (1 + 2x) to get x - 1, resulting in 6x(x - 1) = 6x^2 - 6x. Finally, combine the two parts: -6x^2 - 14x + 6x^2 - 6x simplifies to -20x. The final simplified expression is -20x.
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How do you simplify this?
$$-2x[5x-(2x-7)]+6x[3x-(1+2x)]$$

Can someone show the steps? I keep getting the wrong answer.
 
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eleventhxhour said:
How do you simplify this?
$$-2x[5x-(2x-7)]+6x[3x-(1+2x)]$$

Can someone show the steps? I keep getting the wrong answer.

I would first simplify the inside pieces, multiple, and then add. That is,
\[
5x - (2x - 7) = 5x - 2x + 7
\]
Correct?
Then we have
\[
-2x(3x + 7) = -6x^2 - 14x
\]
Now for the other piece, we have
\[
3x - 1 - 2x = x - 1
\]
Correct?
Then we have
\[
6x(x-1) = 6x^2 - 6x
\]
Now we can add the two pieces together to get
\[
-6x^2 - 14x + 6x^2 - 6x = -20x
\]
 
Last edited:
eleventhxhour said:
How do you simplify this?
$$-2x[5x-(2x-7)]+6x[3x-(1+2x)]$$

Can someone show the steps? I keep getting the wrong answer.

This is practically a duplicate of a previous question. You were given plenty of reponses. If you didn't understand you should have asked for clarification, although expanding brackets is so fundamental you will be able to find step by step guides in any textbook on secondary school algebra.
 

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