How do you combine like terms in #3( a + 7) + 5( 3a + 2)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-07-02T14:34:29

See a solution process below:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying the terms within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis:

#color(red)(3)(a + 7) + color(blue)(5)(3a + 2) =>#

#(color(red)(3) xx a) + (color(red)(3) xx 7) + (color(blue)(5) xx 3a) + (color(blue)(5) xx 2) =>#

#3a + 21 + 15a + 10#

Next, group like terms:

#3a + 15a + 21 + 10#

Now, combine like terms:

#(3 + 15)a + (21 + 10) =>#

#18a + 31#