Question

How do you factor the expression \[5x-8x\]?

Answer 1

Hint: In order to find the solution of the given question that is to factor the expression \[5x-8x\] use the “collecting like term” method where “term” is each part of the expression. There are two terms here namely \[5x\] and \[-8x\]. Here the letter \[x\] is called a variable and since they all have the same variable \[x\] they are referred to as “like terms”. Take the like terms in common and rest in brackets. Then solve this bracket to get the final coefficient. Thence the answer.

Complete step by step solution:
Given expression in the question is as follows:
\[5x-8x\]
The method which is used to simplify such expressions is called “Collecting like terms”.
where “term” is each part of the expression. There are two terms in the given expression here namely \[5x\] and \[-8x\].
Here the letter \[x\] is called a variable and since they all have the same variable \[x\] they are referred to as “like terms”. The number value in front of the variable is called the coefficient and includes the sign to simplify we add/subtract the coefficients.
To simplify the given expression, take the like terms in common and rest in bracket we get:
\[\Rightarrow \left( 5-8 \right)x\]
After solving the coefficients in the brackets with the help of subtraction, we get:
\[\Rightarrow -3x\]
Therefore, Factor of the expression \[5x-8x\] is \[-3x\].

Note: Students can go wrong if they are not aware of the concept of “Collecting Like terms” and meaning of it. It’s important to remember that the method which is used to simplify such expressions is called “Collecting like terms” where “term” is each part of the expression. The number value in front of the variable is called the coefficient and includes the sign to simplify we add/subtract the coefficients.