Question

use the expression (3t + 4) + (4t + 3).
a. find the sum.
b. explain how you know which terms can be combined to find the sum.
a. (3t + 4) + (4t + 3) = \boxed{} (simplify your answer.)

Explanation:

Step1: Remove parentheses

$(3t + 4) + (4t + 3) = 3t + 4 + 4t + 3$

Step2: Combine like variable terms

$3t + 4t = (3+4)t = 7t$

Step3: Combine constant terms

$4 + 3 = 7$

Step4: Sum the combined terms

$7t + 7$

Answer:

a. $7t + 7$
b. Like terms (terms with the same variable raised to the same power, and constant terms) can be combined. Here, $3t$ and $4t$ are like variable terms, so they are added together; $4$ and $3$ are like constant terms, so they are added together to get the simplified sum.