SOLUTION: 3x + 2y- 2x =x + 2y how is it that 3-2 x not equal 1 why is it thrown away? Ive never taken algebra ever & I understand why now. Hope you can give me an answer on why numbers woul

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Question 1043554: 3x + 2y- 2x =x + 2y how is it that 3-2 x not equal 1 why is it thrown away? Ive never taken algebra ever & I understand why now. Hope you can give me an answer on why numbers would be tossed & please explain it on a "Dumb & Dumber" level, I wont be offended in the least.
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, MathTherapy:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking. Though I think you're asking why 3-2x doesn't turn into 1?

The reason why is because the 3 and -2x are NOT like terms. The first term doesn't have an x in front. If it did have an x in front, then you could combine 3x and -2x to get 3x-2x = (3-2)x = (1)x = 1x = x

However, the terms are not like terms so you cannot combine them. It would just stay as 3-2x
Answer by MathTherapy(10556)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3x + 2y- 2x =x + 2y how is it that 3-2 x not equal 1 why is it thrown away? Ive never taken algebra ever & I understand why now. Hope you can give me an answer on why numbers would be tossed & please explain it on a "Dumb & Dumber" level, I wont be offended in the least.
First off, there's no 3 - 2x, but if there were, 3 and 2x are UNLIKE terms and CANNOT be combined.

What you seem to have is: 3x + 2y - 2x = x + 2y

x + 2y = x + 2y ------ 3x and - 2x on the left side are LIKE terms and when combined, equal 1x, or x

Now the equation is a TRUE one since x + 2y is INDEED equal to x + 2y 

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