Are 2(x + 4) and 2x + 4 equivalent

Step by step

The question

Question: are 2(x + 4) and 2x + 4 equivalent?

Equivalent means: the two are equal, whatever number the letter is.

First we simplify the first one: 2(x + 4).

We write it shorter, with the same value.

1 Open the brackets

The 2 in front of the bracket multiplies every part inside.

So we write 2 times each part.

2 times x is 2x.

2 times 4 is 8.

2 Compare

2x + 8 and 2x + 4 are not the same.

Careful!

The 2 multiplies both parts in the bracket, the 4 too.

So no: they are not equivalent.

3 Check

Let's check with a number: x = 2.

The first gives 12.

The second gives 8.

Different.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: open the brackets.

Then: compare.

Last: check.