Equivalent linear algebraic expressions

Question 2

Which expression is equivalent to a + bx, where a and b are numbers?

Question 2 - multiple choice question

−bx + a		bx + a		−bx − a		a − bx

Solution

a + bx has two terms a and bx.

If you add them together it does not matter in which order they are written.

a + bx = bx + a for all values of x

Hence a + bx is equivalent to bx + a.

This is a general expression. We can give a and b values.

Try substituting in some values.

a = −2 and b = 5

−2 + 5x = 5x − 2 for all values of x.

Graphical explanation

Question 3