Jennette M. Bird
MAT:221 Introduction to Algebra
Instructor: Mariya Ivanova
February 1st, 2014
Simplifying Expressions In this paper, I will be using the properties of real numbers to simplify the given expressions for this assignment. I will demonstrate how to simplify expressions using the distributive property method, combining like terms, and by removing parentheses. I have broken down each problem to its lowest terms by using the proper steps in solving the algebraic expressions. I will also touch on the subject of why real numbers are important, and the ways they are useful in solving algebraic expressions. In order to simplify expressions, you must first begin with the distributive properties. You do this by removing the parentheses by applying multiplication across two or more terms within the parentheses. The next step would either be using the commutative property, or the associative property to combine like terms. Combining like terms in the equation is a step in breaking down the expression correctly. I will now demonstrate the use of real numbers in simplifying the three following expressions. I will show my mathematical steps on the left, while discussing the properties on the right. …show more content…
2a^2-10a+4a-20 I applied multiplication using the distributive property which resulted in the removal of the parentheses. 2a^2-6a-30 I combined the like terms by adding the coefficients. 2a^2-6a-30 This expression is now fully