Question

How do you simplify the expression $ - 2b + b$?

Answer 1

Hint: In order to solve this question, we first have to analyze the given algebraic expression and look for any brackets, if there. If there are no brackets then, we look for the like terms and combine them. In simple words, the terms with the same variables are put together and then are solved. Next, we take the common variable or constant term out of the expression and further solve the rest of the expression to get a simpler term.

Complete step-by-step solution:
Before simplifying the expression, we first should know what exactly is meant by simplification. Whenever we are given an algebraic expression, we are supposed to reduce it into a simpler form. This will help to make our calculations much easier. The process of simplification involves the following steps:
i) Removal of parentheses by multiplying the factors into brackets.
ii) Usage of exponent rules to remove parentheses in terms with exponents.
iii) Combine all the like terms by adding coefficients.
iv) Combine all the constants.
Given expression is$ - 2b + b$.
Now using the steps of simplification let us try to solve this expression. Since there are no parentheses, we directly start by bringing the like terms together, which in our case are already together. The like term variable being$b$.
Next, we take the common variable out and we get,
$b\left( { - 2 + 1} \right) \Rightarrow b\left( { - 1} \right) \Rightarrow - b$
Hence, the answer is$ - b$.

Note: Usually an algebraic expression is written in a certain order. We start with terms with the largest exponents and work until we reach to simplifying the constants. Then, we rearrange the terms using the commutative property and put it into correct order.