simplify -1/2(2a - 4b)

Question

I need to simplify: -1/2(2a - 4b)

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for taking the time to post your question!

On a question like this you just want to be sure to follow the order of operations! So that means taking the term outside of the parentheses and distributing it to both terms on the inside

-1/2(2a – 4b)

= -a + 2b

I hope that helps get you moving in the right direction! Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions beyond that :)

Answer 2

Use the distributive property "x(y + z) = xy + xz". In this case, x= -1/2, y = 2a, and z = -4b.

 

You have the form "x(y + z)" so by the distributive property you want "xy + xz". Lets plug in these values and see what happens:

 

(-1/2)*(2a) + (-1/2)*(-4b)

 

Well, (-1/2)*(2a) = -a and (-1/2)*(-4b) = 2b so, 

 

= -a +2b

= 2b + (-a) (by the commutative property)

= 2b - a

 

Therefore the expression has been simplified