Simplify the variable expression below as much as possible8x plus 4 plus 8x - 1?

Answer 1

You have the following expression:

8x + 4 + 8x - 1

8x, 4, 8x, and -1 are each terms, and are being added together. Think of each term as an individual box or package. The "boxes" with no variable (in this case, x), which are 4 and -1, can be added normally, but CANNOT be added to the "boxes" with variables. The ones with variables in them are added normally, but CANNOT be added to "boxes" without variables.

Using this information, we know that:

4 + (-1) = 3

and

8x + 8x = 16x (think of 8 + 8 = 16, but labeled with variables)

We can say that the numbers are being added together, but we can't actually add them together. So we can say:

16x + 3

but we can't say:

19x

or

19

So, the answer is:

16x + 3