Collecting like terms

After brackets have been expanded, the like terms can be collected.

Example 5

Expand the brackets and collect like terms.

1. \(2(x-6) + 5x\)
2. \(3 + 3(x-1)\)
3. \(3(2x + 4) + 6(x-1)\)

Solution

1. \(2(x-6)+5x=2x-12+5x=7x-12\)
2. \(3+3(x-1)=3+3x-3=3x\)
   
3. \(3(2x+4)+6(x-1)=6x+12+6x-6=12x+6\)