|-4(9)|-|-11|
what do the lines mean?

Pls , the question is in the picture!

Before simplifying, how many terms are there in the expression 2x - 5y + 3 + x?

How do i start to solve? would appreciate a walk-thru! a bird sitting 16ft above the ground in an apple tree dislodges an apple. after how many seconds does the apple land on the ground? (assuming that no branches will interfere with it's fall)