In math class , students are attempting to simplify the expression written on the board :

Three students make an attempt at a first step :

Len writes : 5(3-8x)

Monty writes : 7-2(-5x)

Nailany writes : 7-6-16x

A do you agree with wby of the students ? Explain your reasoning for each one .

Step-by-step explanation:

The expression written on the board is:

7 − 2(3 − 8x)

Len made the mistake of subtracting 2 from 7.  According to order of operations (PEMDAS), he must multiply the 2 before he does any subtraction.

Monty made the mistake of subtracting 8 from 3.  Only like terms can be combined.  8x is a multiple of x, but 3 is a constant.

Nailany got close, but she also made a mistake.  She distributed the -2, but when she multiplied it with -8x, she forgot that a negative number times a negative number is a positive number.

The correct answer is 7 − 6 + 16x.