Exercise 6 Page 391

We want to write the following expression in simplest form. - 4j-1-4j+6 Recall that an algebraic expression is in simplest form if it has no like terms and no parentheses. Since the given expression contains like terms, we can simplify it. Let's start by rearranging the expression according to the Commutative Property of Addition.

- 4j-1-4j+6

DiffToSum

a-b = a+(- b)

- 4j+(- 1)+(- 4j)+6

CommutativePropAdd

Commutative Property of Addition

- 4j+(- 4j)+(- 1)+6

Now we can combine like terms using the Distributive Property. rcl - 4 j+( - 4 j)+(- 1)+6= [ - 4+( - 4)] j +(- 1)+6 Finally, we will perform the addition and simplify the expression.

[- 4+(- 4)]j +(- 1)+6

AddTerms

Add terms

- 8j +(- 1)+6

AddTerms

Add terms

- 8j +5

The expression written in simplest form is - 8j +5.