Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: (4x - 5y) + (6x + 3) - (7x - 2y)
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the algebraic expression: (4x - 5y) + (6x + 3) - (7x - 2y).
Understanding the Basics
Before we dive in, let's remember some key concepts:
- Terms: Individual parts of an expression separated by addition or subtraction signs. For example, in (4x - 5y), '4x' and '5y' are individual terms.
- Like Terms: Terms that have the same variables raised to the same powers. For instance, '3x' and '7x' are like terms because they both have 'x' raised to the power of 1.
- Combining Like Terms: This is the core of simplifying algebraic expressions. We combine the coefficients (the numerical part) of like terms while keeping the variable and its power the same.
Simplifying the Expression
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Remove Parentheses: We start by removing the parentheses. Remember that a minus sign before parentheses changes the sign of each term inside.
(4x - 5y) + (6x + 3) - (7x - 2y) becomes 4x - 5y + 6x + 3 - 7x + 2y
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Identify Like Terms: Now, let's group the like terms together:
- x terms: 4x + 6x - 7x
- y terms: -5y + 2y
- Constant term: 3
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Combine Like Terms: We combine the coefficients of each group:
- x terms: (4 + 6 - 7)x = 3x
- y terms: (-5 + 2)y = -3y
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Write the Simplified Expression: Now we can write the simplified expression: 3x - 3y + 3
Final Answer
The simplified form of the expression (4x - 5y) + (6x + 3) - (7x - 2y) is 3x - 3y + 3.