How to simplify algebraic expressions

Question

-17z+11(19z-14)

Answer 1

Key is seeing that 11(19z - 14) means 11 times (19z - 14).  To solve that uses a principle called the distributive property.  Symbolically it is expressed as such:

 

  1) a x (b + c) = (a x b) + (a x c)  and

  2) a x (b -  c) = (a x b) - (a x c)

 

One can also use * instead of x to represent multiplication.

 

in your example a is 11, b is 19z and c is 14, so going back to the whole original expression and applying the distributive property we get:

 

  -17z + 11*(19z-14)  apply distributive

  -17z + 11*19z - 11*14 expanded

  -17z + 209z - 154 combo like terms

  192z -154

Answer 2

Daisy, we have to first use the distributive property, so we get -17z + 209z - 154.  Now we combine like terms and get 192z - 154.

 

Hope this helps.