(-5b).jpeg "(2a)(-5b)")
Simplifying (2a)(-5b)
In mathematics, simplifying expressions involves combining like terms and performing operations to express them in a more concise form. In this case, we have the expression (2a)(-5b).
Understanding the Expression
- (2a) represents the product of 2 and the variable 'a'.
- (-5b) represents the product of -5 and the variable 'b'.
- The parentheses indicate multiplication.
Simplifying the Expression
To simplify, we apply the commutative and associative properties of multiplication:
- Rearrange the terms: (2a)(-5b) can be rewritten as 2 * a * (-5) * b
- Combine the numerical coefficients: 2 * (-5) = -10
- Combine the variables: a * b = ab
Therefore, the simplified form of (2a)(-5b) is -10ab.
Key Points:
- Remember that multiplication is commutative (order doesn't matter) and associative (grouping doesn't matter).
- When multiplying variables, we write them next to each other (ab).
- Pay attention to signs: a negative multiplied by a positive results in a negative.