Thank you for visiting our site! You landed on this page because you entered a search term similar to this: solving equations by adding subtraction multiply divide.We have an extensive database of resources on solving equations by adding subtraction multiply divide. Below is one of them. If you need further help, please take a look at our software "Algebrator", a software program that can solve any algebra problem you enter!
Adding and Subtracting Like Terms
To combine like terms, do the following:
Determine which terms contain the same variable or groups of variables raised to the same exponent.
Add or subtract the numerical coefficients.
Attach the common variables and exponents.
For example, 3x + 6x can be simplified to (3+ 6) x = 9x
Example
If possible, simplify each of the following expressions.
10a + 10b 3a
5b2 + 8b3
3x2y2z 5xyz + x2y2z
Answers
10a + 10b 3a = 7a + 0b
5b2 + 8b3 = 5b2 + 8b3
3x2y2z 5xyz + x2y2z = 4x2 y2z 5xyz
Detailed Answers
(1) 10a + 10b 3a = 7a + 10b
To find the solution:
Determine which terms contain the same variable or groups of variables raised to the same exponent: If we look at this equation we see that there are two terms which contain the variable a.
10a+ 10b 3a
Add or subtract the numerical coefficients: We use the distributive property to rewrite the equation. Then perform the subtraction indicated, subtracting 3 from 10.
(10 3) a + 10b
Attach the common variables and exponents: We then display the final result from the subtraction.
7a + 10b
(2)5b2 + 8b3 = 5b2 + 8b3
Determine which terms contain the same variable or groups of variables raised to the same exponent: While both terms have b's in them, they are raised to different powers, b2 and b3. This means we cannot combine these two terms.
5b2 + 8b3
(3) 3x2y2z 5xyz + x2y2z= 4x2y2z 5xyz
Determine which terms contain the same variable or groups of variables raised to the same exponent: If we look at this equation we see that there are two terms which contain the variable x2y2z.
3x2y2z 5xyz + x2y2z
Add or subtract the numerical coefficients: We group these terms together and perform the addition indicated, adding 3 and 1 together.
(3 + 1)(x2y2z) 5xyz
Attach the common variables and exponents: Here we have the final result.
4x2y2z 5xyz
Combining like terms is crucial in solving equations. Thisis a procedure you will use often with algebraic expressions.