Forgetting what?

[hallmark926]

Help please.

7-3(5-u) = 5(u-4)

I'm trying to multiply -3 by the 5 and the u to get...-15 -3u. I forget what to do with the 7 or is I'm suppose to do 7-3 first, then distribute?

Please let me know what to do with the left side, thank you!!!

 

[Denis]

> 7-3(5-u) = 5(u-4)
> I'm trying to multiply -3 by the 5 and the u to get...-15 -3u.

you should get -15 and +3u

> I forget what to do with the 7 or is I'm suppose to do 7-3 first, then distribute?

No. You'd do that if 7-3 bracketed: (7 - 3)(5 - u)

So left side becomes 7 - 15 + 3u

 

[hallmark926]

ok...I'm on the right track. Needed the refresher.

Thank you Denis