Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: 2(7a-1) - 11a + 3(a-4)
In algebra, simplifying expressions is an essential skill to master. It involves combining like terms and eliminating any parentheses or other grouping symbols. In this article, we will simplify the expression 2(7a-1) - 11a + 3(a-4).
Evaluating the Expression
To simplify the expression, we need to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS):
- Evaluate the expressions inside the parentheses.
- Combine like terms.
Step 1: Evaluating the Expressions Inside the Parentheses
Let's start by evaluating the expressions inside the parentheses:
2(7a-1) = 2(7a) - 2(1) = 14a - 2
3(a-4) = 3a - 12
So, the expression becomes:
14a - 2 - 11a + 3a - 12
Step 2: Combining Like Terms
Now, let's combine like terms:
- The like terms are the terms with the variable a: 14a, -11a, and 3a. Combine them: 14a - 11a + 3a = 6a
- The constant terms are -2 and -12. Combine them: -2 - 12 = -14
So, the simplified expression is:
6a - 14
Conclusion
In this article, we simplified the algebraic expression 2(7a-1) - 11a + 3(a-4) by following the order of operations and combining like terms. The final simplified expression is 6a - 14.
