Question

Ramon simplified this expression correctly. Here is what he wrote 12x+2-5. 12x-3 why didn't Ramon combine the 12x with the 2 or -5

Answer 1

He didn't combine the 12 with the two or the -5 because it has a variable.

Explanation:

There is an unknown to it, like how much it is multiplied by or something. Since the 2 and the -5 didn't have a variable attached to them, they could be combined with teach other, but not the 12.