please help with the following -6(a+8)

Question

please review as i'm confused on figuring out the answer

Answer 1

M - Please do not make the common mistake that the expression you were given is equal to anything.  You are merely simplifying it.  If your teacher said that the expression was equal to 10, a would not be -8.  Don't ASS-U-ME...

 

Equations have Equal signs and so must your answer

 

Expressions can only be simplified.  If the value of the variable is known, then the simplification is a number.

Answer 2

-6(a+8)

Expand the equation by multiplying -6

 

(-6)(a) + (-6)(8)

 

-6a - 48

 

 

Now if you are to solve for a, you'd have to make the equation equals to zero

 

-6a - 48 = 0

 

-6a = 48

 

a = 48 / -6

 

a = -8

 

Answer 3

Hi M;

-6(a+8)

(-6)(a)=-6a

(-6)(8)=-48

-6a-48