How do you simplify 9(a+1.4b)+8(b-16a)?

1 Answer
Mar 5, 2017

See the entire solution process below:

Explanation:

First, expand the terms within parenthesis by multiplying each term within the parenthesis by the term outside the parenthesis. Pay special attention to the signs of each individual term:

color(red)(9)(a + 1.4b) + color(blue)(8)(b - 16a) ->

(color(red)(9) xx a) + (color(red)(9) xx 1.4b) + (color(blue)(8) xx b) - (color(blue)(8) xx 16a) ->

9a + 12.6b + 8b - 128a

Next, group like terms:

9a - 128a + 12.6b + 8b

Now, combine like terms:

(9 - 128)a + (12.6 + 8)b

-119a + 20.6b

or

20.6b - 119a