How do you subtract #-8x + 10# from #-8x +12#?

1 Answer
Sep 19, 2017

#2#

Explanation:

Let's make these into equations
#\color(indianred)(a=-8x+10)# and #\color(steelblue)(b=-8x+12)#

They want you to subtract #a# from #b#, so that would be
#\color(steelblue)(b)-\color(indianred)(a)=(\color(steelblue)(-8x+12))-(\color(indianred)(-8x+10))#

Simplifying that:
#-8x+12-(-8x+10)#

  • Let's pretend that the minus sign outside the parentheses is a #-1# value. This means you now have #-8x+12-1(-8x+10)#.
  • Applying the Distributive Property, you get #-8x+12-1(-8x)+(-1)(10)#.
  • Simplify that and you have #-8x+12+8x-10#. The #-8x# and the #8x# cancel out, so you have #12-10# which equals 2.

    Your answer is #2#.