# Math Help - Linear Application Question (basic)

1. ## Linear Application Question (basic)

Part of the expression in a book reads:
$x+(x + 1) = 25$
which becomes
$2x + 1 = 25$

My question is how does the above expression become $2x+1=25$?

I thought when you see an expression such as $x+(x+1)$ there is a hidden integer, a 1 therefore it should read $x+1(x+1)=25$. If that is the case shouldn't it be $2x + 2 = 25$?

Obviously I am not understanding it correctly, I just wanted to show my incorrect logic.

Thanks

2. ## Re: Linear Application Question (basic)

Originally Posted by allyourbass2212
My question is how does the above expression become $2x+1=25$?
$x+(x+1) = 25$

$\Rightarrow (x+x) + 1 = 25$ (Associativity of addition)

$\Rightarrow x(1+1) + 1 = 25$ (Distributive property)

$\Rightarrow x\cdot2 + 1 = 25$ (1+1=2)

$\Rightarrow 2x + 1 = 25$ (Commutativity of multiplication)

Normally we wouldn't show all of those steps. In general, to add like terms (terms with the same variables and powers), you add their coefficients. So, for example,

$2x + x = 3x$

$a + a + b = 2a + b$

$4xy^2 + 3xy^2 = 7xy^2$

Originally Posted by allyourbass2212
I thought when you see an expression such as $x+(x+1)$ there is a hidden integer, a 1 therefore it should read $x+1(x+1)=25$. If that is the case shouldn't it be $2x + 2 = 25$?
Okay, but this "hidden integer" is being multiplied, not added.