Question Determine which term the negative sign belongs to in the expression $16 t-3 t$ compared to $3 t-16 t$ .

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions
1. We are working with basic algebraic expressions.
2. The subtraction operation has the property that $a - b$ is not the same as $b - a$ for all real numbers $a$ and $b$ where $a \neq b$ .
3. The variable $t$ represents a real number.
4. The negative sign in the expression $16t - 3t$ is associated with the second term, $3t$ .

STEP 2

Understand the order of operations in the given expressions.
The expression $16t - 3t$ means that the term $3t$ is being subtracted from $16t$ .
The expression $3t - 16t$ means that the term $16t$ is being subtracted from $3t$ .

STEP 3

Recognize that subtraction is not commutative.
In general, for any two real numbers $a$ and $b$ , $a - b \neq b - a$ unless $a = b$ .

STEP 4

Identify the term associated with the negative sign in the expression $16t - 3t$ .
The negative sign is associated with the term $3t$ because it is being subtracted from $16t$ .

STEP 5

Write down the term that the negative sign belongs to in the expression $16t - 3t$ .
The negative sign belongs to the term $3t$ .
The expression $16t - 3t$ is not equivalent to $3t - 16t$ because the negative sign in $16t - 3t$ belongs to the term $3t$ .

Was this helpful?

Get Studdy

Scan QR code with your device to get Studdy on iOS or Android

QR code

Studdy solves anything!

Download the app

Start learning now

Download Studdy AI Tutor now. Learn with ease and get all help you need to be successful at school.

Parents Influencer program Contact Policy Terms