Question

Simplify the given algebraic expression (3x - 11y) - (17x + 13y).

Answer 1

Hint: We will apply simplification here. The simplification is done to convert any complex equation into simpler forms.

Complete step-by-step solution -
We will first consider the expression $(3x - 11y) - (17x + 13y)$. Now we will apply simplification here in order to make this expression into simpler terms. First of all we will use the formula which is given by $- (ax + by) = - ax - by$. Therefore we have $(3x - 11y) - (17x + 13y)$ as $(3x - 11y) - 17x - 13y$. Now we will open all the brackets here. Thus we have $(3x - 11y) - 17x - 13y$ as $3x - 11y - 17x - 13y$.
Now we will interchange $- 11y $ and $- 17x$ with each other. Thus we have $3x - 11y - 17x - 13y$ as $3x - 17x - 11y - 13y$. Now we will use addition to x terms and y terms pair wise. That is we will add $3x$ and $- 17x$ which is our first pair and then we will add $– 11y$ and $– 13y$. Therefore we have $3x - 17x - 11y - 13y$ as $ - 14x - 24y$.
Here we can clearly see that this expression cannot be simplified further. So we will stop here. Hence, $(3x - 11y) - (17x + 13y)$ = $- 14x - 24y$.

Note: While performing simplification we need to focus on the variables. Because in this case we can only add the terms for simplifying when the numbers we are adding have the same variables. For example $5x + 2y$ cannot be simplified to $7xy$. But we can add $5x + 2x$ which is $7x$.