Question

Combine like terms. 6x+x-9x. I know the answer is -2x but I've tried and tried to figure out how to get to the answer. How do I figure this problem out? I read that I'm supposed to start by "writing subtraction as the addition of opposites" but I don't know what that means, which is probably where I'm stuck in the first place. Help!

Answer 1

6x + x - 9x (combine like terms) 6x + x = 7x
7x - 9x = -2x
This is really simple....do you understand now ?

Answer 2

I think I'm seeing it. Let my try a couple more similar math problems and see if I get it.

Answer 3

you want me to give you some problems ?

Answer 4

sure. but btw, I think the thing I'm studying solves this problem a little differently, cause it goes step by step (and yet still confuses me) and where it says to start by "writing subtraction as the addition of opposites" it says the answer is -9, which is where I think I'm stuck and confused.

Answer 5

-9 is the first part, the final answer is -2x

Answer 6

I don't understand that way....but the process I did is really easy...
Lets take this problem...
2x - 4x + 6x - 3x
add the positive numbers together, then add the negative numbers together, but remember when adding negatives together, it gives you a negative.
Can you do this problem ?

Answer 7

1x?

Answer 8

add the positives....6x + 2x = 8x
add the negatives ...-3x - 4x = - 7x
now you have ...8x - 7x = 1x or just x
you got it correct.

Answer 9

It is not that hard...so don't try to make it hard.

Answer 10

Sorry to be difficult -w- but I gots another question. So where you said 6x+x=7x, the x alone equals 1? And is added to the 6?

Answer 11

yes....when you have just a letter....it equals one even if the one is not showing.

Answer 12

if you have a -x it equals a -1x or if you have a positive x, it equals a 1x

Answer 13

Thank you <3 I think I'm catching on lol.

Answer 14

good to hear. Keep up the good work :)