Question

write an equivalent expression with the fewest possible terms.
to start writing an equivalent expression, expand each term by writing the products as sums. use repeated addition to show 1 group of a, then 4 groups of b, then 3 groups of a, minus 3 groups of b.
$1a + 4b + 3a - 3b$
$(square)+(square+square+square+square)+(square+square+square)-(square+square+square)$

Explanation:

Step1: Expand 1 group of a

$(a)$

Step2: Expand 4 groups of b

$(b + b + b + b)$

Step3: Expand 3 groups of a

$(a + a + a)$

Step4: Expand 3 groups of b

$(b + b + b)$

Step5: Combine like terms

$(a + a + a + a) + (b + b + b + b - b - b - b)$

Step6: Simplify the expression

$4a + 0b = 4a$

Answer:

Filled expanded form: $(a)+(b + b + b + b)+(a + a + a)-(b + b + b)$
Simplified equivalent expression: $4a$