How to subtract variables

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ISEE Upper Level Quantitative Reasoning › How to subtract variables

Questions 1 - 10
1

Simplify:

Explanation

To simplify this problem we need to combine like terms.

2

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation

Simplify the following expression:

We can only subtract variables with the same exponent.

In this case, we can only combine the first two terms.

To do so, keep the exponents the same and subtract the coefficients.

So our answer is:

3

Simplify:

Explanation

To simplify this problem we need to combine like terms.

4

Simplify:

Explanation

5

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation

Simplify the following expression:

Let's begin by subtracting the 12y

From here, our answer should be apparent:

So our answer is just 0

6

Simplify:

The expression cannnot be simplified further.

Explanation

Group and collect like terms:

7

Simplify the expression:

Explanation

Group and collect like terms:

8

Simplify the following expression:

Explanation

Simplify the following expression:

Now, to complete this, we need to realize that we can only subtract variables with the same exponent.

In this case, we can only combine our first two terms, because they both have an exponent of 7. The third term has an exponent of 8, so it cannot be combined and must be left as is.

So, our answer must be:

9

What is ?

Insufficient information is given to answer this question.

Explanation

10

Simplify:

Explanation

To simplify this problem we need to combine like terms.

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