Simplify 2(x^2 + 3x - 1)

Step by step

The question

Question: simplify 2(x² + 3x − 1).

Simplify means: 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.

Watch the signs.

2 times x² is 2x².

2 times 3x is 6x.

2 times (−1) is −2.

2 Check

Let's check.

We pick a number for each letter: x = 2.

We put it into the start.

Now into our answer.

Both give 18.

Same value, so 2x² + 6x − 2 is right!

Let's look back.

First: open the brackets.

Last: check.