Question

Which of the following expressions is equivalent to a+(– b)? Select all that apply.

(– b ) + a
b + (– a)
(– a ) + b
None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: first option.

Explanation:

Given the expression:

`a+(- b)`

You need to remember the multiplication of signs:

`(+)(+)=+\\(-)(-)=+\\(-)(+)=-`

Then, you know that:

`a+(- b)=a-b`

So, an equivalent expression must have
`a` and
`-b`. Let's check the expressions provided in the options:

`(- b ) + a=-b+a \\\\b + (-a)=b-a \\\\(-a ) + b=-a+b`

You can observe that the equativalent expression is:

`(- b ) + a`