Simplify by combining like terms: [tex]$5.8 v-3 v$[/tex]
Answer (2)
The expression 5.8 v − 3 v simplifies to 2.8 v by combining like terms. The coefficients are combined by subtracting 3 from 5.8, resulting in 2.8. The final answer is 2.8 v .
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Identify like terms: 5.8 v and − 3 v are like terms.
Combine the coefficients: 5.8 − 3 = 2.8 .
Multiply the result by the variable: 2.8 v .
The simplified expression is 2.8 v .
Explanation
Identifying Like Terms We are given the expression 5.8 v − 3 v and asked to simplify it by combining like terms. Like terms are terms that have the same variable raised to the same power. In this case, both terms have the variable v raised to the power of 1, so they are like terms.
Combining Coefficients To combine like terms, we add or subtract their coefficients. The coefficient of 5.8 v is 5.8, and the coefficient of − 3 v is -3. So we need to calculate 5.8 − 3 .
Performing the Subtraction The result of subtracting 3 from 5.8 is 2.8. Therefore, 5.8 − 3 = 2.8 .
Writing the Simplified Expression Now we multiply the result by the variable v to get the simplified expression: 2.8 v .
Final Answer Therefore, the simplified expression is 2.8 v .
Examples
Imagine you are buying apples at a store. Each apple costs v dollars. If you buy 5.8 apples and then return 3 apples, the total cost would be 5.8 v − 3 v = 2.8 v dollars. This simplification helps you quickly calculate the final cost.
