What is a+b in simplifying expressions

Question

I need help with this question please could someone help me 

Answer 1

Hi Emily from New York, NY...hope you're having a great weekend.

Another great questions. You have been busy today. Homework, right?

First of all, Emily there are some things you need to make sure you understand about some of these terms in Algebra.

You will need to make sure you understand what they are and what they represent, because when you do, it will help you understand what it is the problem is asking you to calculate or solve.

In the case of your expression[do you know what the difference is between an expression and an equation?] a + b, this expression is called a 'BINOMIAL', a way of saying there is a sum of these 2 different values 

Now, this binomial comes in different forms and some can be simplified and others can't. So how does one, in this case you tell the difference. I am going to give you some examples, however, Emily if you are still unsure, perhaps it will help to practice or get some help with tutoring.

Here is an example, but not using a binomial:

        When a problem asks to simplify a value, it is the same as factoring:

        Problem asks, factor 24, what that means is identify the numbers that when multiplied together we will get 24 as the product: you know that 4 x 6, 2 x 12, 1 x24, 3 x 8 are just a few of the factors of 24. So basically, to factor or SIMPLIFY a value means to break it apart into values so that when we multiply those values together, our product is that number. Practice it yourself, SIMPLIFY or factor 36.

Now the same goes for binomials. To fact a binomial, we simply it into values so that when we multiply them together we get the binomial.

Remember a binomial has to values, in this case to variables[make sure you know what the word variable means]  

   so let's take this binomial:     2x + 8y    Simply the binomial into parts 

                                                               so that when we multiply them

                                                               together we get 2x + 8y

Using the Distributive Property we can change our expression to

                                       2(x + 4y) so our answer to simplifying 2x + 8y

                                                       are the factors 2 and (x + 4y)

Now to answer your original question. What is the a + b in simplying expresssions? the x + b is a factor or one of the values of simplying another binomial or other expression. 

I hope this helps, if you need further assistance, contact me on Wyzant