College

Consider this equation:

\[ 7.8 + 2(0.75m + 0.4) = -6.4m + 4(0.5m - 0.8) \]

Follow the steps to simplify the left side of the equation by using the distributive property and combining like terms:

1. Distribute the 2: \[ 7.8 + 1.5m + 0.8 \]
2. Combine like terms: \[ 8.6 + 1.5m \]

Use the same steps to simplify the right side of the equation. What would it simplify to?

Answer :

To simplify the right side of the equation, distribute the 4 within the parentheses, combine like terms, and simplify the expression to -4.4m - 3.2.

To simplify the right side of the equation [tex]\( 7.8 + 2(0.75m + 0.4) = -6.4m + 4(0.5m - 0.8) \)[/tex] by using the distributive property and combining like terms, follow these steps:

Step 1: Distribute the 4 on the right side

The right side of the equation is \( -6.4m + 4(0.5m - 0.8) \).

Distribute the 4 to both terms inside the parentheses:

[tex]\[ -6.4m + 4(0.5m) + 4(-0.8) \][/tex]

[tex]\[ -6.4m + 2m - 3.2 \][/tex]

Step 2: Combine like terms on the right side

Combine the terms involving [tex]\( m \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ -6.4m + 2m = -4.4m \][/tex]

So the right side simplifies to:

[tex]\[ -4.4m - 3.2 \][/tex]

Therefore, the right side of the equation [tex]\( -6.4m + 4(0.5m - 0.8) \)[/tex] simplifies to [tex]\( -4.4m - 3.2 \)[/tex].