The first step in simplifying this expression is to identify which, if any, terms can be combined. Remember, only like terms — constant terms or terms with the same variable — can be combined.
- 8x + 4 + (- 3)
In this case, we have one x-term and two constant terms. Only the constant terms can be combined, so to simplify the expression we will combine like terms.
- 8x+4+(- 3)
- 8x+4-3
- 8x+1