To simplify the expression \((2 + a)(b - 6)\), you need to use the distributive property, also known as the FOIL method for binomials.
Here's the step-by-step breakdown:
Distribute \(2\) from the first binomial to both terms in the second binomial: \[ 2 \cdot b - 2 \cdot 6 = 2b - 12 \]
Distribute \(a\) from the first binomial to both terms in the second binomial: \[ a \cdot b - a \cdot 6 = ab - 6a \]
Now, combine the results: \[ (2 + a)(b - 6) = 2b - 12 + ab - 6a \]
Putting it all together, the expanded form of the expression is: \[ ab + 2b - 6a - 12 \]
So, \((2 + a)(b - 6) = ab + 2b - 6a - 12\).
