How do you combine #5( 2a - 4) + 2( a - 4) - 3( a - 5)#?

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Answer 1 · 2017-08-07T12:13:02

See a solution process below:

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

#color(red)(5)(2a - 4) + color(blue)(2)(a - 4) - color(green)(3)(a - 5)#

#(color(red)(5) xx 2a) - (color(red)(5) xx 4) + (color(blue)(2) xx a) - (color(blue)(2) xx 4) + (color(green)(-3) xx a) + (color(green)(-3) xx -5)#

#10a - 20 + 2a - 8 + (-3a) + 15#

#10a - 20 + 2a - 8 - 3a + 15#

Next, group like terms:

#10a + 2a - 3a - 20 - 8 + 15#

Now, combine like terms:

#(10 + 2 - 3)a + (-20 - 8 + 15)#

#9a + (-13)#

#9a - 13#