Final answer:
Brett is correct in simplifying 12y + 7y to 19y by adding the coefficients of like terms in accordance with the rules of algebra that allow for the addition of like terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Brett simplified 12y + 7y to 19y, and he is indeed correct in saying that these expressions are equivalent. In mathematics, when you are adding like terms, you simply add their coefficients. Here, both terms have y as the variable, so you can add the coefficients 12 and 7 together to get 19, making the simplified expression 19y.
Identify like terms (terms with the same variable).
Add the coefficients of those like terms. For 12y and 7y, it is 12 + 7.
Combine the coefficients with the variable to get the simplified term, which in this case is 19y.
The rules of algebra state that you can add like terms, and this process of simplification does not depend on any external factors such as location, culture, or time period. It purely relies on using the correct mathematical rule and applying it accurately.