Question

Catch and Combine Like Terms.

5x + 6y - 4x + 3y - 9

Answer 1

To combine like terms in the expression 5x + 6y - 4x + 3y - 9, you add the coefficients of like terms for x and y, which results in x + 9y - 9 as the simplified expression.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of the question is to combine like terms in an algebraic expression. To do this, you identify terms that have the same variable raised to the same power and then add or subtract the coefficients. Starting with the expression 5x + 6y - 4x + 3y - 9, we first combine the terms containing x: 5x - 4x gives x. Next, we combine the terms containing y: 6y + 3y gives 9y. The number without a variable, -9, remains unchanged. Therefore, the simplified expression is x + 9y - 9.

Step by step, the process involves:

1. Identify like terms, which are terms that have the same variables raised to the same power.
2. Add the coefficients of like terms with x, which are 5x and -4x.
3. Add the coefficients of like terms with y, which are 6y and 3y.
4. Combine the like terms to get the new coefficients.
5. Write down the expression with the combined terms.
6. Eliminate terms where possible to simplify the algebra.
7. Check the answer to see if it is reasonable.

The final answer is x + 9y - 9.