simplify x 2 x 4

less than a minute read 21-10-2024

Simplifying Multiplication: A Step-by-Step Guide to x * 2 * 4

Multiplying numbers can seem intimidating, especially when faced with a series of factors. But the process becomes much clearer when you understand the fundamental concepts of multiplication. Let's break down the problem x * 2 * 4 and walk through a simple, step-by-step solution.

Understanding the Basics

Multiplication: Multiplication is a mathematical operation that combines two or more numbers to find their product. In this case, we have three numbers to multiply: x, 2, and 4.
Order of Operations: In mathematics, we follow the order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS) to solve equations. Since multiplication is the only operation here, we can solve it from left to right.

Solving the Equation:

x * 2: The first step is to multiply x by 2. This can be written as 2x.
2x * 4: Now, we multiply the result from step 1 (2x) by 4. This gives us 8x.

The Simplified Answer:

Therefore, the simplified form of x * 2 * 4 is 8x.

Additional Considerations:

Variable x: The variable x represents an unknown value. Its value could be any number.
Coefficient: The number 8 in 8x is called the coefficient. It indicates how many times the variable x is being multiplied.

Real-World Example:

Imagine you have x boxes of cookies, each containing 2 rows of cookies with 4 cookies in each row. To find the total number of cookies, you would use the expression x * 2 * 4. The simplified answer, 8x, tells you that you have a total of 8 cookies per box, multiplied by the number of boxes you have (x).

Conclusion:

Simplifying expressions like x * 2 * 4 involves understanding the order of operations and applying basic multiplication rules. By following a step-by-step approach, we arrive at the simplified answer of 8x. Remember that this expression is just a representation of the total value, which will depend on the specific value of x.