answer:
-2x + 9 or -2 which is what the question asks
step-by-step explanation:
- we have to combine like terms which means terms that are similar
- in this, only 5x and -7x are like terms since both have x with them
- 9 will stay the same since it does not have a like term
5x + 9 + (-7x) = __x + 9
-2x + 9
- therefore, -2 goes in the blank
