Question

Simplify –4b + 8c + 12 – 8b – 2c + 6

Answer 1

`-12b + 6c + 18`

Explanation:

The key to answering this question is combining like terms. Add or subtract the terms that have the same variable.

1) Let's start with finding all the terms that have a b and combine them - those terms would be -4b and -8b. Add their coefficients (the numbers in front of the variable).

`-4b + 8c + 12 - 8b - 2c + 6 \\= -12b + 8c + 12 - 2c + 6 \\`

2) Next, let's do the same with all the terms that have a c. In this case, those terms would be 8c and -2c. So, add their coefficients too:

`-12b + 8c + 12 - 2c + 6 \\\\= -12b + 6c + 12 + 6`

2) Finally, combine the constants (the terms with no variables). Those numbers would be 12 and 6.

`-12b + 6c + 12 + 6\\= -12b + 6c + 18`

Thus, the answer is
`-12b + 6c + 18`.