Question

are the expressions 3(j + 2) - 2 and 2(j + 1) + j equivalent? show why or why not. simplify the first expression 3(j + 2) - 2. 3(j + 2) - 2 = \square j + ?

Explanation:

Step1: Apply distributive property

Using the distributive property \( a(b + c)=ab + ac \), we expand \( 3(j + 2) \) as \( 3\times j+3\times2 = 3j + 6 \). So the expression becomes \( 3j + 6 - 2 \).

Step2: Combine like terms

Combine the constant terms \( 6 - 2 \). \( 6-2 = 4 \). So the simplified expression is \( 3j+4 \).

Answer:

The coefficient of \( j \) is \( 3 \) and the constant term is \( 4 \), so \( 3(j + 2)-2=\boldsymbol{3}j+\boldsymbol{4} \)