Question 1

Why am  i not getting this :(

Accepted Answer

Suppose the temperature is a freezing -6 degrees.
It gets even colder than that by 16 degrees. (subtracting)
Now it's an even more freezing -22 degrees.

Question 2

what is 9t−3t+4

Accepted Answer

That would be 6t+4 because 9t-3t=6t and 4 is just left alone so it equals 6t+4.

(I hope this can help you) :)

Question 3

the only thing i'm really confused about is how to do the fractions part

Accepted Answer

You just have to know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and the simplifying algebraic expressions with fractions in them will become fairly easy :D

Question 4

I just don't understand the negatives! In one problem I must subtract and in an other one I must add... can some one help me?

Accepted Answer

You need to understand how to add / subtract signed numbers. It sounds like you are still confused with that concept. I would recommend you redo the lessons for adding and subtracting signed numbers. There are 3 sections starting at this link: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/pre-algebra-negative-numbers#pre-algebra-add-negatives-intros

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

Question 5

How would I combine like terms if there is a variable as the numerator and not as the coefficient?

_Like:_   *w/60* + *w/5*

Accepted Answer

You have 2 like terms and your terms are fractions. Convert them to have a common denominator, then add the numerators. There is a video with a similar problem at: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra-home/alg-intro-to-algebra/alg-manipulating-expressions/v/simplifying-expressions-involving-rational-numbers

Note: w/60 is the same as (1/60)w, they have just been multiplied together (numerator to numerator and denominator to denominator).

Hope this helps.

Note: w/60 is the same as (1/60)w, they have just been multiplied together (numerator to numerator and denominator to denominator).

Hope this helps.

Question 6

how do I combine like terms in a problem with fractions?

Accepted Answer

Then you follow the rules for adding/subtraction fractions:
-- Find an LCD
-- Convert the fractions to the LCD
-- Add/subtract the numerators.

Hope this helps.

Question 7

Can someone help me with the problem 3x - 12 = 2x -4 + 3x + 6
I'm so confused on how to solve it, because I got 2 answers: one was -14/8 and one was 14/8. Which one is the right one?

Accepted Answer

Neither is correct.  I confirmed this by substituting each value in the equation to see if the 2 sides are equal.  In both cases, the 2 sides are unequal.

Here's correct solution:
1) Combine like terms on right side: 3x-12 = 5x+2
2) Subtract 3x from both sides: -12 = 2x + 2
3) Subtract 2 from both sides: -14  = 2x
4) Divide both sides by 2:  -7 = x

Checking solution:
3(-7) - 12 = 2(-7) -4 + 3(-7) + 6
-21 - 12 = -14 -4 + -21 + 6
-33 = -18 + -15
-33 = -33

So x=-7 is the correct answer

Hope this helps.

Question 8

how can you subtract negative integers

Accepted Answer

If you have -2 - (-4) the subtraction sign and the negative sign for the second number cancel out so it becomes -2 + 4. 
If you have -2 - 4 you simply add the 4 to 2 and put the negative sign in front

Course: Algebra (all content) > Unit 1

Combining like terms review

What is combining like terms?

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