High School

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 :

Sure! Let's simplify the right side of the equation step-by-step, just like we did for the left side.

We begin with the expression on the right side of the equation:
[tex]\[
-6.4m + 4(0.5m - 0.8)
\][/tex]

Step 1: Distribute the 4

Use the distributive property to simplify [tex]\(4(0.5m - 0.8)\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
4 \times 0.5m - 4 \times 0.8 = 2m - 3.2
\][/tex]

Step 2: Substitute back into the expression

Now replace the distributed expression back into the original expression on the right side:
[tex]\[
-6.4m + 2m - 3.2
\][/tex]

Step 3: Combine like terms

Combine the terms containing [tex]\(m\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
(-6.4m + 2m) = -4.4m
\][/tex]

And now include the constant [tex]\(-3.2\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[
-4.4m - 3.2
\][/tex]

So, the simplified form of the right side of the equation is:
[tex]\[
-4.4m - 3.2
\][/tex]

This is the simplified right side of the equation!