Simplifying Algebraic Expressions
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the algebraic expression:
(5a² + 4ab – 3b²) – (–5ab + 4b² + 3a²)
Understanding the Basics
- Terms: An algebraic expression consists of terms separated by addition or subtraction.
- Like Terms: Terms with the same variables raised to the same powers.
- Combining Like Terms: To simplify an expression, we combine like terms by adding or subtracting their coefficients.
Step-by-Step Solution
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Distribute the Negative Sign: Remember that subtracting an expression is the same as adding its negative. So, we distribute the negative sign in front of the second set of parentheses:
(5a² + 4ab – 3b²) + (5ab – 4b² – 3a²)
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Identify Like Terms: Now, let's identify the like terms in the expression:
- a² terms: 5a² and -3a²
- ab terms: 4ab and 5ab
- b² terms: -3b² and -4b²
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Combine Like Terms: Combine the coefficients of each set of like terms:
- a² terms: 5a² - 3a² = 2a²
- ab terms: 4ab + 5ab = 9ab
- b² terms: -3b² - 4b² = -7b²
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Write the Simplified Expression: Combine the results to get the simplified expression:
2a² + 9ab – 7b²
Conclusion
By applying the principles of combining like terms, we successfully simplified the expression (5a² + 4ab – 3b²) – (–5ab + 4b² + 3a²) to 2a² + 9ab – 7b². Remember to always distribute negative signs and combine only like terms.