Certainly! Adding negative numbers can be understood in a straightforward way. Here's a breakdown of how to add expressions that include negatives, like \(-y + x\) or \(y + -x\):
Expression 1: \(-y + x\)
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Identify the terms: In this expression, we have two terms: \(-y\) and \(x\).
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Combine like terms: Since \(x\) and \(-y\) are not like terms, you cannot combine them further. Therefore, you just write the expression together: \[ -y + x = x - y \]
Expression 2: \(y + -x\)
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Identify the terms: Here, the terms are \(y\) and \(-x\).
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Combine like terms: Similar to the previous expression, \(y\) and \(-x\) are also not like terms. So, you write it together: \[ y + -x = y - x \]
General Notes on Adding Negatives
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When you see \(-y\) or \(-x\), think of it as the opposite of that variable. For example, \(-y\) means you are taking away \(y\).
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You can also think of addition involving negatives as moving along a number line. For example, adding \(-1\) is like moving left, and adding \(1\) is moving right.
Summary:
- \(-y + x\) simplifies to \(x - y\).
- \(y + -x\) simplifies to \(y - x\).
If you have specific examples or further expressions you'd like to work through, feel free to ask!
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