Question

How would you solve this?

n - 4 - 9

Answer 1

solve or simplify?

Answer 2

solve means we have an equation or inequality

Answer 3

we do not have that here

Answer 4

-4-9=-(4+9)=-13
so n-4-9=n-13

Answer 5

Yeah I would assume simplification . . . so just add the regular numbers like freckles did. There's only one variable. Any further simplification would require a given solution.

Answer 6

I have to ask @beckyg111 did you mean n-4=9

Answer 7

or n-4=-9

Answer 8

or did you really just mean n-4-9

Answer 9

ok in class im doing like the rainbow thin. Do you know what that is?

Answer 10

It does say n - 4 - 9

Answer 11

ok in the instructions is to just simplify right?

Answer 12

and no never heard of rainbow thin
sounds like the rainbow is sick :p

Answer 13

heres another example

Answer 14

i'm not familiar with that kind of mathematics

Answer 15

is that suppose to be -3x+6=-3x+2+4 ?

Answer 16

are you sure its not like n(-4 - 9)?

Answer 17

no.
you bring the -3 and the x down so that would look like this.
-3x.

The 3 is negative and the 6 is positive so the result will be negative...i think
then all you do is multiply 6 and 3 (my mistake its not 24 its 18)
So then you bring the -3x and add the 18

-3x 18

Answer 18

so you mean -3(x+6)
which when using distributive property gives
-3(x)+(-3)(6)
-3x+(-18)
-3x-18

Answer 19

I guess but i have to show my work and i have to do it the way my teacher showed me
http://easyk12.blogspot.com/2011/10/multiplication-rainbow-method.html

Answer 20

Yeah . . . The solution -3x - 18 does match with that.

Answer 21

omg

Answer 22

wait a minute

Answer 23

nevermind I'm confused again

Answer 24

like looking at that site
almost thought x was a multiplication symbol here

Answer 25

instead of a variable

Answer 26

Your teacher uses the most unnecessary methods . . .

Answer 27

Ok I kinda get it now but I still have no clue . . .

Answer 28

I didn't think I could struggle with this kind of math and I'm already in advanced math.

Answer 29

She's gone lol.

Answer 30

I honestly don't think it is you. I think something is missing...
because the site becky linked us too shows something completely different than problems expressed here.

Answer 31

3x(-6)
where x is a multiplication symbol
3x(-6)=-18

Answer 32

I don't see what this has to do with n-4-9

Answer 33

actually she wrote -3x(+6)
which is just really -3x(6)
again x is a multiplication symbol
this is still -18 though

Answer 34

Yeah I have no idea why the "rainbow method" would apply to this.

Answer 35

I feel like her teacher just made it even more complicated.