Simplify 5 (3x-6) - 8 (3x-7)

Can someone explain how to do this in English?

Remember the distributive property? It goes like x (a+b) = xa+xb ... For example 3 (6+7) = (3*6) + (3*7) = 39

Same here

5 (3x-6) - 8 (3x-7)

do the thing

(15x-30) - (24x-56)

Take parentheses off.

15x-30-24x+56

//WHY PLUS 56 NOT MINUS?

//because there was a minus sign outside the original parentheses, so the signs inside have to be flipped when the parentheses is taken off

//Let's simplify now

15x-24x-30+56

-9x+26

^^The answer!

5 (3x-6) - 8 (3x-7)

Multiply the first bracket by 5

Multiply the second bracket by - 8

15x-30-24x+56

negative number times (*) positive number = negative number

positive number times (*) positive number = positive number

15x-30-24x+56

15x-24x-30+56 (just rearranging)

-9x+26

Positive + 26 because 56 is greater than - 30 in this case

Answer is - 9x+26