What does it mean to be "simplified"

which one is most "simple"
2(3+5)
or
6 + 10

???

I've been told both and wonder if someone can give me the correct answer

some of my teachers told me simplified means all of the operations that can be done are done and the expression can not be simplified further in which case the second one is more simple

yet I have had teachers who say that the more simplified version is the first one because it's factored... yet you could chose to multiply out but don't becaues it's considered more simple because it's factored...

Which answer is correct I have been told both by differnt teachers that I have had...

what does it mean to be "simplified"
all the expressions that can be done are done makes sense as you can't rewrite the expression in a simpler form... but if you can factor do you factor...

I think I made sense don't udnerstand what exactly it means to be simplified as some teachers of marked me wrong for not factoring when I could of because it's not "simple" yet by some teachers it means other things

I just realized this while doing some homework a very simple problem and was like what does it mean to simple and realized I have been told several things by different teachers that I have had in the past...

I would think that 16 is the most simplified.

I understand that you're confused about the concept of simplification because different teachers have given you conflicting explanations. Let's clarify what it means to simplify an expression.

To simplify an expression, we perform all of the operations that can be done. This means evaluating any numerical operations, combining like terms, and performing any necessary operations within parentheses. The goal is to leave the expression in its simplest form, where no further operations can be performed.

Now, let's compare the two expressions you provided: 2(3+5) and 6 + 10.

To simplify 2(3+5), we start by evaluating the expression inside the parentheses:
2(3+5) = 2(8)

Then, we multiply 2 by 8:
2(8) = 16

So, the simplified form of 2(3+5) is 16.

Next, let's simplify 6 + 10:
6 + 10 = 16

As you can see, both expressions simplify to the same value, which is 16. Therefore, in this case, both expressions are equally simple.

Regarding factoring, it is a technique used to simplify expressions by rewriting them in a different form, usually by identifying common factors or using algebraic identities. However, factoring is not always necessary or the most straightforward way to simplify an expression. It depends on the specific context or problem at hand.

In summary, to simplify an expression, you should perform all possible operations without changing the original meaning of the expression. Factoring may be used as a simplification technique, but it is not always required. If multiple teachers have provided conflicting explanations, it may be helpful to seek further clarification from your current math teacher to better understand their specific expectations.