Any Math whizzes? Need help with 6th grade algebra

[KristiKelly]

DS has a question on his homework tonight that we can't figure out.

Here is the question directly as it is stated on the sheet:

Mathematically Speaking
Simplify: 1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b)

Any help would be appreciated, I was horrible at this in school.

TIA

 

[pfishgirl]

Did you try online Homework help

 

[Kath2003]

Multiply out the brackets:
1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b) = 1a + 8b + 8a + 4b
Add the as together = 9a
Add the bs together = 12b

The equation simplifies, then, to 9a + 12b

 

[EthansMom]

DS has a question on his homework tonight that we can't figure out.

Here is the question directly as it is stated on the sheet:

Mathematically Speaking
Simplify: 1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b)

Any help would be appreciated, I was horrible at this in school.

TIA

multiply the 1/2 by each part of the 2a + 16b and then multiply 2/3 by each par of the 12a + 6b

then add... (hint: the a parts add to other a parts and the b parts add to other b parts. hint2: your result will be in the form Xa + Yb where X and Y are numbers)

 

[okeydokey]

Yup, 9/a + 12/b. It helps to put big brackets around the two parts of the equation. You begin solving inside the brackets first.

 

[clori]

dh says

Simplify: 1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b)

The formatting is not clear from the above. I'm guessing they mean one half and two thirds there. If so, multiplication takes precedence over addition, so do that first. It gives (a+8b) + (8a+4b). Then add like terms to get 9a+12b.

The alternative reading of the problem is probably too complex for 6th grade.

 

[KristiKelly]

dh says



The formatting is not clear from the above. I'm guessing they mean one half and two thirds there. If so, multiplication takes precedence over addition, so do that first. It gives (a+8b) + (8a+4b). Then add like terms to get 9a+12b.

The alternative reading of the problem is probably too complex for 6th grade.

Too complex for me too

Thanks for the help, after seeing this it started coming to him.

 

[DBL101]

I think the idea they are trying to teach is the distribution of the fractions through each element in the parenthesis.

1/2 (2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b)
( (1/2)2a + (1/2)16b ) + ( (2/3)12a + (2/3)6b )
( a + 8b ) + ( 8a + 4b)
9a + 12b

 

[hopemax]

I was going to mention the distribution method of solving, but someone else beat me to it.

 

[dimimi]

Multiply out the brackets:
1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b) = 1a + 8b + 8a + 4b
Add the as together = 9a
Add the bs together = 12b

The equation simplifies, then, to 9a + 12b

Yep!

 

[kirbsam]

this then would be broken down to 3(3a + 4b)

 

[Laurabearz]

Can a Math Whizz please give me an example of how you would use that exact problem to solve something in real life.

Thanks

 

[StarGazer99]

Can a Math Whizz please give me an example of how you would use that exact problem to solve something in real life.

Thanks

I'm a latter in life Engineering student and can tell you in my experience algebra is one of the most agrivating of the math disciplines. It's more tedious than anything and the only way to get good at it is to do alot of it.
I can not think of a real life example for that particular equation but learning these things does not just apply using these equations in the real world. It is a way to learn how to think and solve problems such as balancing a budget or planning a Disney vacation. The letters are called variables because they can constantly change and you know that in real life and making plans many things can constantly change. Learning how to deal with equations teaches your brain how to think and deal with three or four things at a time. I'm am glad they have started my first grader with algebra she has already become sooooo logical it's scary. Instead of math being a chore it should be looked at as a game....If we do this what will happen. Look at the Suduko Craze, Math can be FUN. Also people who don't beleive they can do algebra....You can not copare prices at a store without algebra, balance a check book, make a double batch of cookies. Everyday we use algebra, we just don't have it written down with letters and numbers.

 

[Cool-Beans]

DS has a question on his homework tonight that we can't figure out.

Here is the question directly as it is stated on the sheet:

Mathematically Speaking
Simplify: 1/2(2a + 16b) + 2/3 (12a+6b)

You can't do anything inside the brackets, so you start multiplying the stuff outside of them to them...

[1/2 (2a + 16b)] + [2/3(12a+6b)]

(1a+8b) + (8a+4b) Now, since everything is adding, you can just remove those brackets...

1a + 8b + 8a + 4b You can rearrange it any way you like because all you're doing is adding

1a + 8a + 8b + 4b Now its so obvious a monkey could do it

9a + 12b

If you invest in a good Algebra book (the ones written by Marv Bittinger are the best - not the cheapest, but the best), you and your child will get a sound start in Algebra. And it'll be easy as pie because everything is spelled out for you.