Shannon says the two expressions below are equivalent. Is she correct? Explain why or why not?

2 (3a-2) + 4a and 10a-2

Hi there! Shannon is incorrect.

To find out whether she is correct, we must get rid of the parentheses.

2 (3a - 2) + 4a =

2 * 3a - 2 * 2 + 4a =

6a - 4 + 4a =

10a - 4

Shannon says 2 (3a-2) + 4a and 10a-2 are equivalent, but when we work out the parentheses we can see a different outcome. Therefore, Shannon is incorrect.