1-24x+x-46
The correct answer and explanation is:
The expression provided is:
1 – 24x + x – 46.
To simplify this expression, you need to combine like terms. “Like terms” are terms that involve the same variable raised to the same power, in this case, terms that contain the variable x and constant terms.
Step 1: Identify the like terms
- The x terms are: -24x and x.
- The constant terms are: 1 and -46.
Step 2: Combine the x terms
To combine -24x and x, you can think of x as 1x. So the operation becomes: −24x+1x=−23x.-24x + 1x = -23x.
Step 3: Combine the constants
Now, combine the constants 1 and -46: 1−46=−45.1 – 46 = -45.
Step 4: Write the simplified expression
Now that you’ve combined like terms, the simplified expression is: −23x−45.-23x – 45.
Thus, the correct answer is -23x – 45.
Explanation
Simplifying algebraic expressions involves the process of combining terms that have the same variable or no variable at all (constants). In this case, you combined the x terms and the constant terms separately. By doing so, you eliminated the extra variables or constants that were not needed and arrived at a more manageable form of the expression. This step is an important skill in algebra, as it helps to simplify complex expressions and make solving equations much easier.