How do you simplify #-74a-56a#?

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-24T08:14:01

#-130a#

In #-74a-56a# we have two LIKE terms. They can be added.

We will end up with a term with the same variable, #a#

#-74a-56a# can also be written as #(-74a) + (-56a)#

Adding two negatives is done in the same way as adding two positives.

#74 + 56# means go UP the number line from 0 to 74, and then UP another 56 to end up at +130#

#+74+56 = +130#

In the same way #-74 - 56# means go DOWN the number line from 0 to -74, and then DOWN another 56 to end up at -130#

#-74-56 = -130#

#(-74a) + (-56a) = -130a#

(some negatives PLUS some negatives gives MORE negatives)