Exercise 83 Page 71

Remember, only like terms can be combined.

- 1/3y+6

Practice makes perfect

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. 1/3y + 6 - 2/3y In this case, we have two y-terms and one constant. Only the y-terms can be combined, so to simplify the expression we will rearrange it according to the Commutative Property of Addition and then combine like terms.

1/3y +6- 2/3y

CommutativePropAdd

Commutative Property of Addition

1/3y-2/3y+6

MoveRightFacToNum

a/c* b = a* b/c

y/3-2y/3+6

SubFrac

Subtract fractions

y-2y/3+6

SubTerms

Subtract terms