1. The problem is to determine the correct placement of the number 2 in an expression involving brackets. 2. When a number is outside the brackets, it usually means multiplication with the entire expression inside the brackets. 3. For example, if you have $2(x + 3)$, the 2 multiplies both $x$ and 3 inside the brackets. 4. This is different from $2x + 3$, where 2 only multiplies $x$ and not 3. 5. So, placing 2 outside the brackets means you multiply the whole bracketed expression by 2. 6. This is a key rule in algebra for distributing multiplication over addition or subtraction inside brackets. 7. Therefore, yes, it is correct to have 2 outside the brackets if you want to multiply the entire expression inside.