How many terms are in this expression #5(-4a+8b+7c)-3(5b-11c-32)#?

1 Answer
Aug 3, 2017

There are #2# terms

Explanation:

There are #2# terms.

Terms are separated by plus and minus signs unless the signs are
- in a bracket
- in a fraction
- under a root

#color(red)(5(-4a+8b+7c)) color(blue)(-3(5b-11c-32))#

If the brackets are multiplied out we get #6# terms.

#=color(green)(-20a)color(magenta)(+40b) color(lime)(+35c) color(magenta)(-15b) color(lime)(+33c) color(purple)(+96)#

If the like terms are added, we get #4# terms

#=color(green)(-20a) color(magenta)(+25b) color(lime)(+68c) color(purple)(+96)#