Is (a x 4 ) + (a x 3 ) = Are the letters considered as 1?

Question

How do I do this problem?

 

Is (a x4 ) + (a x 3)=

Answer 1

Hi Cecelia,

 

Assuming x here means multiplication, then the letter a is a variable, we do not know its value. 

To solve, first we perform the functions inside the parenthesis:

(a x4) = 4a and (a x3) = 3a.

 

Then simply add them together:

4a + 3a = 7a.

 

 

Hope this helps!

-Emily

Answer 2

Cecelia, the answer to your question is yes and no. 

 

We as mathematicians are efficient, so we don't write things not needed. A single letter, as in this case, means 1 of that letter. 1 is the coefficient.

 

a = 1a, but it is not simply 1.

 

Looking at your problem, a x 4 = 1a x 4 = 4a and a x 3 = 1a x 3 = 3a. If we add 4a + 3a, we get 7a.

 

To take it further, if we had 2a x 4, then that would equal 8a.

 

Hope this makes sense!