how would I find each sum or difference of
(5a-2b) + (-4a+5b)
what do I do with -2b when you line up the +5b?
The sum of the two terms in parentheses is a - 3b
If you want the difference, it should be written
(5a - 2b) - (-4a + 5b)
which is the same as
(5a - 2b) + (4a - 5b) = 9a - 7b
To find the sum or difference of (5a - 2b) + (-4a + 5b), you need to combine like terms. Like terms have the same variable(s) raised to the same power(s).
First, distribute the negative sign in front of the second parenthesis: (-4a + 5b) becomes -4a - 5b.
Now, line up the similar terms vertically based on the variables they contain. In this case, you line up the "a" terms and the "b" terms as follows:
(5a - 2b)
+ (-4a - 5b)
Next, add or subtract the coefficients of the like terms within each group:
For the "a" terms:
5a - 4a = a
For the "b" terms:
-2b - 5b = -7b
Now you can write the sum or difference of the two expressions by combining these results:
(a) + (-7b)
Therefore, the sum or difference of (5a - 2b) + (-4a + 5b) is (a - 7b).