dmp said:
Do you use the + or - symbol that is in the middle of the equation ie.
So should it look like 2m - 8n as that is the middle symbol ( 5m + 2n - 3m + 6n)
dmp, you seem quite "bright" for a 12 years old; and your English is better than many older
students we get here :wink:
Now, relax a bit; the "m's" and "n's" shown in your expression could just as well be "apples" and "oranges";
like: 5 apples + 2 oranges - 3 apples + 6 oranges ; you can tell right away that you have 2 apples left,
and 8 oranges, right? SIMPLY put the same fruits together: 5 apples - 3 apples and 2 oranges + 6 oranges.
What's "in the middle" and wether it's + or - is of no importance: just use what's there.
The expression simply happens to be written this way:
5m + 2n - 3m + 6n
Could be written in any order, like:
5m + 6n + 2n - 3m
6n - 3m + 2n + 5m .... and other ways...
The trick is put the same variables together:
5m-3m + 2n+6n ; then it's simply:
2m + 8n ... or 2 apples and 8 oranges :idea: