What happens if a number is right next to a variable E.G 5a - 12

Question

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Answer 1

When a number is right next to a variable, it is called a coefficient. A coefficient is multiplied by the value of the variable it is beside. 5a - 12 can be read as "5 times a minus 12." You cannot do anything with an expression without knowing the value of the variable.

Example: Let's pretend the value of a is 8.

5a - 12

5(8) - 12

40 - 12

28