## anonymous one year ago Which statement below best applies to the following expression?

1. anonymous

2. anonymous

A. the two terms cannot be combined because the radicands are not identical, and cannot be simplified so that they are identical B. the two terms cannot be combined because the indices are not identical C. the two terms cannot be combined because the resulting value of the subtraction would be negative D. the two terms may be combined

3. anonymous

@Hero

4. anonymous

help plz

5. Hero

@Dragonclaw88, What are your own thoughts regarding the expression?

6. anonymous

i dont have any i just need to know how to solve it

7. anonymous

i guess that counts right?

8. Hero

What if you had -4x - 5y. How would you combine that expression?

9. anonymous

ummmm......i think you combine the numbers first right?

10. Hero

Ever heard of the concept of combining like terms? If so, what does it mean to you?

11. anonymous

ik what it is im just not very good at actually doing it

12. anonymous

what u gave me where unlike terms

13. anonymous

im not sure how to combine those

14. Hero

Well, let me give you an idea of it. 7 + 8 = 15 7 and 8 are like terms because they are both integers 2x + 4x = 6x 2x and 4x are like terms because x is common to both. In fact, if we use the distributive property, then 2x + 4x = (2 + 4)x = (6)x = 6x 7xy + 3xy = 10xy Same concept here. 5x^2 + 3x^2 = 8x^2 See the pattern? You can only combine terms if they have common variable factors.

15. Hero

With radicands, you treat those as variable factors.

16. anonymous

BEFORE YOU GAVE ME UNLIKE TERMS AND TOLD ME TO COMBINE THEM BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW!!!!! sorry to be rude....

17. anonymous

i know how to combine like terms that is easy

18. Hero

So you can combine something like $$6\sqrt{5} + 3\sqrt{5}$$ but it is not possible to combine $$3\sqrt{5} + 4\sqrt{7}$$. In other words, when it comes to radicals, the concept of like terms apply here as well.

19. anonymous

i have no idea how to combine radicals at all i failed algebra 1 because i dont understand many concepts of anything

20. Hero

Re-read everything I wrote above, but more slowly this time. I'd also recommend taking a break and coming back later or even taking a short nap while thinking about the concept here. It will help.