Question

$15a{b}^2$ + $2a{b}^{2}x$ + $3a{b}^2$ + $2a{b}^{2}x$ + $2a{b}^2$ = _____

• A. $4a{b}^2$ + $20a{b}^{2}x$
• B. $24a^2{b}^{4}x$
• C. $20a{b}^2$ + $4a{b}^{2}x$
• D. $24a{b}^{2}x$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

$20a{b}^2$ + $4a{b}^{2}x$

$15a{b}^2$ + $2a{b}^{2}x$ + $3a{b}^2$ + $2a{b}^{2}x$ + $2a{b}^2$

= ($15a{b}^2$ + $3a{b}^2$ + $2a{b}^2$) + ($2a{b}^{2}x$ + $2a{b}^{2}x$)

= $(15+3+2)a{b}^2$ + $(2+2)a{b}^{2}x$

= $20a{b}^2$ + $4a{b}^{2}x$

This cannot be simplified further as $20a{b}^2$ and $4a{b}^{2}x$ are unlike terms.