Question

simplify the expression by combining like terms: 8x - 5y + 12 - 3x + 2y - 4 - 2u - 6. youre off to a good start combining the x and y terms! but what about the constants and the u term? what happens to 12 - 4 - 6 and -2u? can we solve it together?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify like terms

• \(x\)-terms: \(8x, -3x\)
• \(y\)-terms: \(-5y, +2y\)
• Constant terms: \(12, -4, -6\)
• \(u\)-term: \(-2u\)

Step2: Combine \(x\)-terms

\(8x - 3x = (8 - 3)x = 5x\)

Step3: Combine \(y\)-terms

\(-5y + 2y = (-5 + 2)y = -3y\)

Step4: Combine constant terms

\(12 - 4 - 6 = (12 - 4) - 6 = 8 - 6 = 2\)

Step5: Keep \(u\)-term as is

The \(u\)-term is \(-2u\) (no other \(u\)-terms to combine)

Step6: Combine all simplified terms

Putting it all together: \(5x - 3y + 2 - 2u\) (or rearranged as \(-2u + 5x - 3y + 2\))

Answer:

\(-2u + 5x - 3y + 2\) (or \(5x - 3y - 2u + 2\))