Answer
$9+3(x-2)$,
simplifies to $\quad 3x+3$
Work Step by Step
"nine increased by"$\quad\rightarrow 9+...$
" the product of $3$ and ..."$\quad\rightarrow 3\cdot(...)$
"2 less than a number"$\quad\rightarrow (x-2)$
the expression translates to$:\qquad 9+3(x-2)$
Using the distributive property,
$ 9+3(x-2)=9+3x-3\cdot 2$
$=9+3x-6$
... group like terms ($9$ and $3x$ can change places)
$=3x+(9-6)$
= $3x+3$
