Does the symbol change to?

Question

In a variable expression, when a negative is changed into a positive because something is added to it, does the "-" sign turn into a "+" sign?

For example in this variable expression

-7a+3a-3c+5c

I know the first step is to add 7a and 3a which equals -4a

and then you add 5c to negative 3c which equals 2c

Is the final answer supposed to look like this: "-4a-2c"

or is it supposed to look like this because the 2c is now a positive?: "-4a+2c"

Answer 1

The steps you describe are correct.
You end up with the values -4a and 2c.
When you combine (add) them, you have -4a+2c.
That's in alphabetical order.
Or you could write 2c-4a, which amounts to the same thing.

Answer 2

the final answer is supposed to be -4a+2c. It is this way because when you added -7 plus 3 you got -4 and when you added -3 and 5 you got 2. Since 2 is positive, you just put a positive sign in the middle and you add 2.

Final answer is correct: -4a+2c

Answer 3

It's supposed to be the first one because like you said -7a+3a= -4a, and 5c+3c= 2c. So iit should be -4a-2c because there is still a negative sign in front of -3c.

Answer 4

It should be -4a+2c

Instead of -3c+5c think about 5c-3c . The order won't do any difference.

Answer 5

yes -4a+2c

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Your second answer is correct.