i got a question on my homework... so can someone help me please.

Question

this is what the problem says... use the terms 4, 12a, 6, 2a, and 24 to make equivalent expressions. use each term only once. use substitution to prove that the expression is equivalent.

Answer 1

The "a" in the two terms are your variables. So you figure each of those would be on opposite sides of the equation... (i.e 12a + something = 2a + something )

Then ask yourself, What do I need to make 2a = 12a. Multiply by 6! (which is one of the terms we need to use)

so now u have --> 2a * 6 + something = 12a + something

Now we have 2 of the terms left (4 and 24). this is were u have to get creative and notice. I just plugged in 4 for the first something and then 24 for the 2nd something like so...

2a * 6 + 4 = 12a + 24

Now in order to make these equation's equal, I see that I can do associative and multiply the whole left side of the equation by 6 (not just 2a). The new equation now becomes: 6 * (2a + 4) = 12a + 24

multiply that out and u get 12a + 24 = 12a + 24. Since those are equal, you know the above equation is ur answer