Question

Simplify this;
what is -2x + x?

Answer 1

Answer is -x

• If a term doesn’t have a coefficient is considered that the coefficient is 1
-2x + 1x
• collect like terms by calculating the sum of the coefficients
(-2 + 1)x
• Write the sum
-1x
• The coefficient negativeone doesn’t have to be written but the sign remains
-x

Answer 2

-x

Explanation:

Note that when there is a standalone variable (such as the x in this example), it typically actually means 1x. (If it is -x, it will be -1x.) However, you do not write 1 in front, as it is presumed.

Subtract the coefficient of each terms:

1x - 2x = -1x

-x is your simplified form.