Combine like terms 12u – 35u

Question

what is the answer to 12u - 35u combined?

Answer 1

This problem is basically just a subtraction problem.

Think 12 - 5 = 7

And 12 apples - 5 apples = 7 apples

Here you have 12 U's - some U's = how many U's

 

Another way to look at it is with the distributive property (if you have studied it).

12u - 35u = (12 - 35)u

 

The only problem here is that you are subtracting a larger number from a smaller number and will end up with a negative number for an answer.  Do you know how to do that kind of subtraction?

If not comment back and let us know more about what you are stuck on.

 

Answer 2

In Arithmetic:

 

12u - 1u = 11u
12u - 2u = 10u
12u - 3u = 9u
12u - 4u = 8u

12u - 5u = 7u
12u - 6u = 6u
12u - 7u = 5u
12u - 8u = 4u
12u - 9u = 3u
12u - 10u = 2u
12u - 11u = 1u
12u - 12u = 0u
12u - 13u = –1u
12u - 14u = –2u
12u - 15u = –3u
12u - 16u = –4u
...

12u - 35u = –23u

 

In Algebra using the Distributive Property:

 

12u - 35u = –u(–12 + 35) = –u(23) = –23u