2{5x-4[x-4(x+5)]}

Question

having trouble getting rid of the grouping symbols

Answer 1

A minor oversight by Michael L.

 

2{5x - 4[-3x -20]} Multiply each term in square brackets by 4

2{5x + 12x +80} 

2{17x+80} 

34x +160

Answer 2

Hi Thomas,

2{5x - 4[x - 4(x + 5)]}  

Start working on the inside parenthesis, then square brackets and then the curly brackets

2{5x - 4[x -4x -20]}    Multiply each term in the parenthesis by 4 collect like terms x - 4x becomes -3x 

2{5x - 4[-3x -20]}     Multiply each term in square brackets by 4

2{5x + 4x +80}         Collect like terms

2{9x+80}                 Multiply every term by 2

18x +160