Simplify

8m+4n+7m-2n

What is the answer?

a) 17mn

b) m + 2n

c) 15m + 2n

d) 15m + 6n

8m + 4n + 7m - 2n

You wouldn't have any trouble with this at all if it said

8monkeys + 4nuts + 7monkeys - 2nuts

First you would look through it to see how many monkeys there are all together. You would addum up.

8monkeys + 7monkeys = 15 monkeys

Then you would look through it to see how many nuts there are all together, and you would addum up.

4nuts - 2nuts = 2 nuts

Then you would write these results on one line:

15monkeys + 2nuts.

Why should it be a big tough deal when there's just a bunch of m's and n's?

First, just look through it to see how many m's there are all together, and addum up:

8 m's + 7 m's = 15 m's

Then just look through it to see how many n's there are all together, and addum up:

4 n's - 2 n's = 2 n's

Then write these results on one line:

15 m + 2 n.

That's choice-c.

c) 15m + 2n

Step-by-step explanation:

8m+4n+7m-2n

Combine like terms

8m+7m + 4n-2n

15m + 2n