Simplify 4(2a - 3) + a

Check the final answer first, then review the worked steps.

Problem

Simplify 4(2a - 3) + a

Answer

\(9a - 12\)

Step-by-step solution

1. Distribute the constant: Apply the distributive property to the expression $4(2a - 3) + a$ by multiplying $4$ by each term inside the parentheses. This gives $4 \cdot 2a - 4 \cdot 3 + a$, which simplifies to $8a - 12 + a$.
2. Combine like terms: Group the terms containing the variable $a$ together. We have $8a + a - 12$. Adding the coefficients of $a$ (where $a$ is equivalent to $1a$), we get $(8 + 1)a - 12$, which results in $9a - 12$.

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