document.write( "Question 482393: Simplifying by collecting like terms: I have a math problem that reads: Subtract the sum of -3m and -6p from their difference. My teacher says the answer is -12p. I am having trouble understanding the wording and setting up the problem. Can you help me solve this?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #330252 by Edwin McCravy(20055)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
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document.write( "Your teacher is wrong.  It's 12p, not -12p.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Subtract the sum of -3m and -6p from their difference.\r\n" );
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document.write( "You are to subtract their sum from their difference.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Let's find their sum:\r\n" );
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document.write( "To find the sum write them down in parentheses and put a +\r\n" );
document.write( "sign between them, like this:\r\n" );
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document.write( "           (-3m) + (-6p)\r\n" );
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document.write( "then simplify that:\r\n" );
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document.write( "             -3m-6p\r\n" );
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document.write( "Next let's find their difference:\r\n" );
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document.write( "To find the difference write them down in parentheses and put a -\r\n" );
document.write( "sign between them, like this:\r\n" );
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document.write( "           (-3m) - (-6p)\r\n" );
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document.write( "then simplify that:\r\n" );
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document.write( "             -3m+6p\r\n" );
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document.write( "Finally we need to subtract the sum FROM the difference.\r\n" );
document.write( "When you subtract one amount from another, you always start with \r\n" );
document.write( "the amount you're subtracting FROM and then you subtract from it.\r\n" );
document.write( "Since we are subtracting FROM the difference, we write the difference\r\n" );
document.write( "-3m+6p down first in parentheses, then we write the sum next in \r\n" );
document.write( "parentheses, and put a - between them like this:\r\n" );
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document.write( "           (-3m+6p) - (-3m-6p)\r\n" );
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document.write( "Then we simplify:\r\n" );
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document.write( "           -3m + 6p + 3m + 6p\r\n" );
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document.write( "                   12p\r\n" );
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document.write( "So it comes out 12p, not -12p.\r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin
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