Which of the following expressions is equivalent to 2a^2(a + 3) ?

The correct answer is D. Choice D is correct. Expanding the given expression using the distributive property yields 2a^2 × a + 2a^2 × 3 . Combining like terms yields 2a^2 × a^1 + (2 × 3) × a^2 , or 2a^2+1 + 6a^2 , which is equivalent to 2a^3 + 6a^2 .

Note: The listed a-values make the target expression and choice D print the same outputs.

SAT Question 6e06a0a7: Answer, Explanation & Desmos Solution

Choice A

Choice A is incorrect and may result from incorrectly combining like terms.

Choice B

Choice B is incorrect and may result from incorrectly combining like terms.

Choice C

Choice C is incorrect and may result from distributing $2 a^{2}$ only to $a$ , and not to $3$ , in the given expression.

Explanation

Enter in Desmos:

Why the other choices are wrong

SAT Question 6e06a0a7: Equivalent Expressions answer and explanation with Desmos solution

Explanation

Enter in Desmos:

Why the other choices are wrong