Question

How do you simplify: `-4(x + 2) + 1/2(-2x + 6)`?

Answer 1

`-5x - 5` or `-5(x + 1)`

Explanation:

Step 1) To start to simplify this expression first expand the parenthesis by multiply each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the associated parenthesis:

`(-4*x) + (-4*2) - (1/2 * 2x) + (1/2 * 6) =>`

`-4x - 8 - x + 3 =>`

Step 2) Combine like terms to get to the final simplified expressions:

`-4x - x - 8 + 3 =>`

`(-4 - 1)x - 5`

`-5x - 5` or `-5(x + 1)`