Question

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

Answer 1

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`