Final answer:
Simon's claim is incorrect; -x has a coefficient of 1, and therefore 2x and -x are like terms. The expression should be simplified by combining like terms, resulting in 4m + x + 8.
Step-by-step explanation:
Simon is not correct in claiming that 2x and -x are not like terms because -x does have a coefficient. In algebra, if a variable does not show a coefficient explicitly, it is understood to have a coefficient of 1. Therefore, -x is the same as -1x. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. Both 2x and -x have the variable 'x' raised to the first power, so they are indeed like terms.
To simplify the expression 4m + 2x - x + 8, we combine like terms. The like terms in this case are 2x and -x:
- 2x - x = 2x - 1x = (2 - 1)x = x
Now, replace the like terms in the original expression with their simplified form and rewrite the expression:
This is the simplified form of the given expression.
Simon is incorrect. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. In the expression 4m + 2x - x + 8, both 2x and -x have the same variable 'x' raised to the power 1, so they are like terms.
To simplify the expression, combine the like terms by adding their coefficients. The like terms in the expression are 2x and -x.
2x - x can be simplified to (2-1)x, which equals 1x or simply x.
So, the simplified expression is 4m + x + 8.