SOLUTION: Could you please explain to me how to simplify equations like 3b-5-10b-4 or 6g+5-3g-7? I don't understand having to change some of the symbols and merely moving others. Thank you f

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Could you please explain to me how to simplify equations like 3b-5-10b-4 or 6g+5-3g-7? I don't understand having to change some of the symbols and merely moving others. Thank you f      Log On


   

Question 611055: Could you please explain to me how to simplify equations like 3b-5-10b-4 or 6g+5-3g-7? I don't understand having to change some of the symbols and merely moving others. Thank you for any help you can give!
Answer by radh(108) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'm going to solve the first problem.

3b-5-10b-4.
You see how 3b and -10b both have b? We can add them to get -7b. We can also do the same for numbers (real numbers), so -5-4=-9. The simplified version would be -7b-9!

The trick is to look for similarity. Remember that you can't add/subtract expressions with different variables. (eg. 5x-7y). If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.