Identify Like Terms: Identify like terms in the expression −8+4+−9+−9a. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. In this expression, −8, 4, and −9 are like terms because they are all constants without variables. The term −9a is not like any other term because it contains a variable.
Combine Like Terms: Combine the like terms −8, 4, and −9. To combine these terms, simply add them together. −8+4+−9=−8−9+4=−17+4=−13
Write Simplified Expression: Write the simplified expression with the combined like terms and the variable term.The simplified expression is −13+−9a. Since there is no like term for −9a, it remains as is.
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