1. 3 times the sum of a and b and the sum of 3 times a and b

Question

I don't get it nor do I know what the answer is

Answer 1

First, you must convert the word problem to an equation as follows:

1.3 times the sum of 'a' and 'b' becomes 1.3(a + b)

3 times a and b becomes 3(a + b)

The problem states you must sum the two expressions so now you simply add the two coefficients 1.3 (a + b) and 3 (a + b) which become 4.3(a + b)