Subtract (x + y) from (a + b)

Question 1

Subtract 5 from 8

Answer 1

8 - 5 = 3

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

Question 2

Subtract 8 from 5

Answer 2

5 - 8 = -3

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

Question 3

Subtract 5a from 8

Answer 3

8 - 5a

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

Question 4

Subtract 8 from 5a

Answer 4

5a - 8

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

Question 5

Subtract 5a from 8a + 5

Answer 5

(8a + 5) - 5a = 8a + 5 - 5a

= 8a - 5a + 5

= 3a - 5

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

in this case we treat 8a + 5 as one expression

Question 6

Subtract 8a + 5 from 5a

Answer 6

5a - (8a + 5) = 5a - 8a - 5

= -3a - 5

we place the value after the word ‘from’ to the left

in this case we treat 8a + 5 as one expression

Question 7

Subtract 4x from 9x

Answer 7

5x

Question 8

Subtract 9x from 4x

Answer 8

-5x

Question 9

Subtract 9x from 4x + 2

Answer 9

4x + 2 - 9x = 4x - 9x + 2

= -5x + 2

Question 10

Subtract 4x + 2 from 9x

Answer 10

9x - (4x + 2) = 9x - 4x - 2

= 5x - 2

Question 11

Subtract 4x + 2 from 9x + 5

Answer 11

9x + 5 - (4x + 2) = 9x + 5 - 4x - 2

= 9x - 4x + 5 - 2

= 5x + 3

Question 12

Subtract 9x + 5 from 4x + 2

Answer 12

4x + 2 - (9x + 5) = 4x + 2 - 9x - 5

= 4x - 9x + 2 - 5

= -5x - 3

Question 13

Subtract 9x - 5 from 4x + 2

Answer 13

4x + 2 - (9x - 5) = 4x + 2 - 9x + 5

= 4x - 9x + 2 + 5

= -5x + 7

Question 14

Subtract 4x - 2 from 9x + 5

Answer 14

9x + 5 - (4x - 2) = 9x + 5 - 4x + 2

= 9x - 4x + 5 + 2

= 5x + 7