Question

How do you combine like terms in `2h + 4j - 4( 2h - 8j + 3k )`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis. Be careful to handle the signs of each individual term correctly:

`2h + 4j - color(red)(4)(2h - 8j + 3k) =>`

`2h + 4j - (color(red)(4) * 2h) + (color(red)(4) * 8j) - (color(red)(4) * 3k) =>`

`2h + 4j - 8h + 32j - 12k`

Next, group like terms:

`2h - 8h + 4j + 32j - 12k`

Now, combine like terms:

`(2 - 8)h + (4 + 32)j - 12k`

`-6h + 36j - 12k`