How do you simplify #3(a-4b)-2(a-3b)#?

1 Answer
Feb 16, 2017

See the entire simplification process below:

Explanation:

First, we expand the terms in parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis. Be sure to pay special attention to the signs of the individual terms:

#(3 xx a) - (3 xx 4b) - (2 xx a) + (2 xx 3b) ->#

#3a - 12b - 2a + 6b#

Next, group like terms:

#3a - 2a - 12b + 6b#

Now, combine like term:

#(3 - 2)a + (-12 + 6)b#

#1a -6b#

#a - 6b#