How do you simplify # -3(a+5)+9#? Algebra Expressions, Equations, and Functions Variable Expressions 1 Answer Neefgi Mar 21, 2018 #-3a-6# Explanation: #-3(a+5)+9# #(-3a-15)+9# #color(blue)(" Distributive property: "-3*a and -3*5)# #-3a-15+9# #color(blue)(" Remove parentheses to make it more readable")# #-3a-6# #color(blue)(" Add like terms: " -15+9=6)# Answer link Related questions How do you write the variable expression for: a quotient of 2 and the sum of a number and 3 ? What are variables? What are variable expressions? How do you write variable expressions? How do you evaluate variable expressions? How do you simplify the expression #3x-x+4#? How do you write a quotient of a number and 6 as an expression? How do you evaluate the expression #2x+1# for #x=1#? How do you write a product of a number and 2 as an expression? How do you write 5 less than 2 times a number as a variable expression? See all questions in Variable Expressions Impact of this question 1634 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License