Question

to solve this equation, you need to get h alone on one side, and a constant on the other side. on the left, the h term is inside of parentheses. what move can you make to rewrite the left side of this equation without parentheses, so that it’s easier to work with?
10 - 2(h + 4) = 3h - 8
options:
divide (h + 4) by -2
subtract 10 minus 2, then multiply the result by (h + 4)
use the distributive property to multiply -2 and (h + 4)

Explanation:

Step1: Identify correct simplification method

The left side $10-2(h+4)$ requires removing parentheses. The distributive property states $a(b+c)=ab+ac$, so we apply this to $-2(h+4)$.

Step2: Verify incorrect options

• "Divide $(h+4)$ by -2" is wrong, as there is no division operation here.
• "Subtract 10 minus 2, then multiply the result by $(h+4)$" is wrong, as this misapplies order of operations and the structure of the expression.

Answer:

Use the distributive property to multiply -2 and $(h + 4)$