Question

Simplify the expression 5a- 2a+ 9

Answer 1

3a + 9

You subtract 2a from 5a, which equals 3a, but 9 is by itself, so it stays the same.

Answer 2

Since there are like terms, you can combine them

5a-2a = 3a

So, then you get
3a+9

Then you can factor to get a GCF of 3
3(a+3)