Mixed operations with algebraic terms (incl negatives)

We've already learnt about the concept of negative numbers and how to simplify and evaluate expressions with directed numbers.

Now we are going to look at working with algebraic expressions that have positive and negative terms.

There are a few important things to remember when working with directed numbers:

	Example
Multiplying a positive term and a negative term gives a negative answer	$\left(-2f\right)\times5g=-10fg$(−2f)×5g=−10fg
Multiplying two negative terms gives a positive answer	$-6\times\left(-7c\right)=42c$−6×(−7c)=42c
Subtracting a negative term is the same as adding a positive term	$3-\left(-2a\right)$3−(−2a) is the same as $3+2a$3+2a
Adding a negative term is the same as subtracting the term	$h+\left(-3\right)$h+(−3) is the same as $h-3$h−3

 

 

Examples

Question 1

Simplify: $-2m-9m$−2m−9m

 

Question 2

Simplify the expression: $3x-\left(-4x\right)-2x$3x−(−4x)−2x

 

Question 3

Simplify the expression $\frac{10x}{3x}$10x3x​