Question

How do you simplify `2(3 + 5)`?

Answer 1

You would distribute the 2 (which means multiplying it with each number in the parenthesis) to get 16 as your answer.

Explanation:

So first off you need to know basic distribution. Basic Distribution is when you take the number outside the parenthesis and multiply it with each of the numbers on the inside of the parenthesis and add (or subtract) the products together. (This kind of basic distribution only works if the inside numbers are being either added or subtracted).

So in the expression `2(3+5)` the number 2 would be considered the outside number because it is outside the parenthesis. 3 and 5 would be the inside numbers because their inside the parenthesis.

This tells us that the 2 is being the number distributed to the numbers 3 and 5. which would be shown as `(2*3)+(2*5)`. We keep whichever sign is used in the original expression to separate the parenthesis.

That would be simplified normally into `6 + 10` which would be added to get `16`. This same concept is used for any numbers (including ones with variables once you get there, in which case the outside would multiplied with the coefficient) and is still used a lot at higher levels so practice this skill!

I hope this wasn't too wordy! Good Luck!