How do you simplify #\frac { 2b - 10y } { 3b } - \frac { 7b - 7y } { 3b }#?

2 Answers
Jim G.
Jun 29, 2017

#-(5b+3y)/(3b)#

Explanation:

#"since the fractions have a "color(blue)"common denominator"#

#"we can subtract their numerators leaving the denominator"#

#rArr((2b-10y)-(7b-7y))/(3b)#

#=(2b-10y-7b+7y)/(3b)#

#=(-5b-3y)/(3b)#

#=-(5b+3y)/(3b)#

Suren Abreu
Jun 29, 2017

#(-5b-3y)/(3b)#

Explanation:

Since the denominator is the same, we just need to add the numerators above the common denominator.

#(2b-10y)/(3b)-(7b-7y)/(3b)#

#((2b-10y)-(7b-7y))/(3b)#

Open the brackets and simplify. The product of two negatives is a positive and the product of a negative and a positive is a negative.

#(2b-10y-7b+7y)/(3b)#

#(2b-7b-10y+7y)/(3b)#

#(-5b-3y)/(3b)#

This can also be written as:

#-((5b+3y))/(3b)#

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