How do you simplify an expression like: -5x + (-2) + 3x +9
-5x + (-2) + 3x +9
Combine like terms.
-2x + 7
To simplify the given expression, -5x + (-2) + 3x + 9, follow these steps:
Step 1: Combine like terms
Combine the terms with the same variable. In this case, we have -5x and 3x. When combining x terms, we add or subtract the coefficients (numbers in front of the variable).
-5x + 3x = -2x
The simplified expression becomes -2x + (-2) + 9
Step 2: Combine any constants
Combine the numbers that do not have a variable attached.
(-2) + 9 = 7
The simplified expression becomes -2x + 7
Therefore, the simplified expression is -2x + 7.
To simplify an expression like -5x + (-2) + 3x + 9, you need to combine like terms. Like terms are terms that have the same variable and exponent.
Let's break down the expression step by step:
1. Start by combining the x terms: -5x + 3x. Since both terms have the variable x, we can combine them. The result is -2x.
-2x + (-2) + 9
2. Next, combine the constant terms: -2 + 9. The result is 7.
-2x + 7
So the simplified expression is -2x + 7.