simplify expression by combinign like tersm 6m = 2m - 5

Question

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Answer 1

“Combining like terms” means “moving all the m’s together and all the lonely numbers together”, but you gotta do it right!

you have 6m in one side of the equals sign, and 2m on the other side. You want to “move” the 2m to other side, but here’s how:

subtract 2m from BOTH sides. Now you have 6m -2m = 2m -2m -5

simplify these:

4m = -5

(Notice the 2m moved to the other side AND it changed sign, from positive to negative.)

 

the basic principle is that you can add (or subtract) anything you like, as long as you use the same amount to BOTH sides.