document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=511071>Question 511071</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi, I homeschool my son so please don't assume I'm a student asking for help.  I graduated in 1975 so math has changed a bit since my day.  I didn't like math in school because I couldn't understand it without an answer to my 'why?' questions.  My school system was huge and overcrowded so teachers didn't have time for one-on-one. (Just giving you my background since I may be asking more than one question)  I am trying to concentrate on helping my son finish by the end of October while at the same time my oldest step-daughter is on my mind.  She is only 34 and had a massive stroke a few months ago..she is married, but with 3 little daughters and them living 900 miles away..it's been difficult to say the least.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So...my question right now is for a particular problem.  I don't understand why, in Algebra, you can't simplify the following problem as I have shown.  For some reason I can't wrap my head around this and it's causing my teaching skills to 'hiccup'.   9x + 3y - (5x + y)    This is how I would do it: 9x + 3y - 5x + 1y =<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(12xy) - (6xy) (which equals 6.  Why go through all that minus stuff and moving around the numbers... the answer is the same, right?   Thank you. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #341991 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mananth><B>mananth(16946)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=mananth><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=mananth><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=341991\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> You may have your own logic. I appreciate it.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "In Algebra , rules govern the method of solving any problem.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "when we say xy it means x multiplied by y . So instead of adding you are mulyiplying.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "you have 10 apples and 6 oranges.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Can you adod both of them and say you have 16 oranges OR 16 apples.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "The answer is NO.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "if you have 10 mangoes and another 6 mangoes you can say I have 16 mangoes.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Same is the case with x & y <BR>\n" );
document.write( "You cannot add x & y\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "If you have to add x & y then the answer is x+y and not xy.Both are like add mangoes. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "But if you have 6x & 4x Then you can add them and say 10x.  They are called like terms<BR>\n" );
document.write( "If you need a write up write to me I will send one. Probably your concepts will clear.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Algebra has not changed for years\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "m.ananth@hotmail.ca\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "9x+3y -5x+y <BR>\n" );
document.write( "9x-5x+3y+y<BR>\n" );
document.write( "4x+4y\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );