identify the terms, like terms, coefficients, and constant terms. Then, simplify the expression:

Question

8c - 12 - 5c + 4

Answer 1

Let's break down the expression step by step:

1. Identify the terms: The expression is \( 8c - 12 - 5c + 4 \). The individual terms are:

   • \( 8c \)
   • \( -12 \)
   • \( -5c \)
   • \( +4 \)

2. Identify like terms: Like terms are terms that contain the same variable raised to the same power. In this case, the like terms are:

   • \( 8c \) and \( -5c \) (both contain \( c \))
   • \( -12 \) and \( +4 \) (both are constant terms)

3. Identify coefficients: The coefficient is the numerical factor in front of a variable:

   • The coefficient of \( 8c \) is 8.
   • The coefficient of \( -5c \) is -5.
   • The coefficients of the constant terms \( -12 \) and \( +4 \) are -12 and 4, respectively.

4. Identify constant terms: The constant terms are the terms without a variable:

   • The constant terms are \( -12 \) and \( +4 \).

Now, let's simplify the expression \( 8c - 12 - 5c + 4 \):

• Combine the like terms involving \( c \): \[ 8c - 5c = (8 - 5)c = 3c \]

• Combine the constant terms: \[ -12 + 4 = -8 \]

Putting it all together, the simplified expression is: \[ 3c - 8 \]

Thus, the final result of simplification is: \[ 3c - 8 \]